Voices of Young Fathers:
The Partners for Fragile Families Demonstration Projects

Prepared for:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
Office of Human Services Policy (HSP)
Contract Number 100-01-0027

Prepared By:
Alford Young, Jr.
University of Michigan
and
Pamela A. Holcomb
The Urban Institute

June 8, 2007

This report was produced under the direction of Jennifer Burnszynski and Linda Mellgren, Project Officers, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Office of Human Services Policy, Melissa Pardue, Deputy Assistant Secretary.

This report is available on the Internet at:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/07/PFF/voices/

Printer Friendly version in PDF format (63 pages)
This report is available in PDF format only.

How to Obtain a Printed Copy

Contents

Executive Summary (in PDF format - 5 pages)

Acknowledgments

Chapters:

  1. Introduction
  2. Profiles of the Young Fathers
  3. Fatherhood and Family Functioning
  4. Perspectives on the PFF Program Experience
  5. Child Support and Employment Experiences
  6. The Men's Perspectives on the Future

Appendix A. PFF Demonstration Sites

Acknowledgments

The evaluation of the Partners of Fragile Families (PFF) project was conducted by the Urban Institute under contract to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Many individuals assisted in conducting the study and producing this report. Dr. Alford Young Jr., Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and Associate Professor of Sociology and African American Studies at the University of Michigan, conducted all of the fieldwork for this study, compiled and analyzed the intensive interviews with the study participants, and produced the initial drafts that include the extensive quotes and findings presented in this report.

We gratefully acknowledge the oversight and guidance provided by our project officer, Jennifer Burnszynski and to David Arnaudo of the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) at DHHS for his ongoing commitment to the study. We are also highly indebted to Linda Mellgren of ASPE, who reviewed the report and offered valuable insights and comments on how to strengthen its content. Demetra Nightingale and John Trutko reviewed earlier drafts and provided useful guidance. The report benefited greatly from the editing skills of Fiona Blackshaw. We also extend our appreciation to the PFF staff for their assistance in identifying and recruiting the study participants. Finally, we sincerely thank the eight fathers who participated in this study for their time and willingness to share their personal experiences and views on fatherhood and the PFF demonstration.

How to Obtain a Printed Copy

To obtain a printed copy of this report, send the title and your mailing information to:

Human Services Policy, Room 404E
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20201

Fax:  (202) 690-6562

You may also print the PDF version (63 pages).

Where to?

Top of Page | Contents

Home Pages:
Partners for Fragile Families (PFF) Demonstration Projects: Main Page
Human Services Policy (HSP)
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Last revised:  07/14/07