Early Head Start Father Studies

In collaboration with the Fathers Work Group from the Early Head Start Consortium, the Center is conducting studies that look closely at both biological and social fathers whose children are participants in the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project and/or receive Early Head Start services. The goal is to illustrate the characteristics of the biological and social fathers of Early Head Start children, to examine their involvement with their children, and to describe the ways in which Early Head Start programs facilitate this involvement.

This study is among the first to investigate involvement of low-income fathers in children's lives, suggesting strategies and services for facilitating this involvement. Follow-up research includes a study of the ways in which biological fathers’ involvement varies according to family structure, and an ongoing research program examining the involvement of nonresident fathers by race and ethnicity.

Funding Sources: Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services; Ford Foundation

Contact: Anne Martin, Dr.PH

Other Current Families Projects