Experimental Evaluation of a Family Strengthening Intervention To Enhance Post-release Adjustment for Reentering Fathers and Improve Child Well-Being

• NCJ Number: 250568
• Author(s): Mindy E. Scott; Kimberly Turner; Heather Wasik; April Wilson; Jenita Parekh; Elizabeth Karberg; Makedah Johnson
• Date Published: December 2016
• Length: 36 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2009-IJ-CX-0009
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Program/Project Evaluation
• Award: Randomized Controlled Trial Study of a Parenting Intervention to Enhance Post-Release Adjustment and Reduce Recidivism for Reentering Fathers and their Children

Annotation

The findings and methodology are reported for an evaluation of the Strengthening Families Program for Parent and Youth 10-14 (SFP) for fathers returning from prison, so as to determine the impact of adding a family-focused intervention to existing reentry services for fathers living in the Midwestern part of the United States.

Abstract

Overall, fathers, caregivers, and youth assigned to the SFP treatment group fared better on some outcomes and not as well on others compared to those in the control group, based on testing at 7 weeks and 6 months after beginning the intervention. Fathers in the treatment group had better overall well-being than those in the control group; however non-resident fathers in the treatment group tended to report less engagement with their children than those in the control group. Effect sizes suggest potentially moderate associations between participation in the SFP intervention and outcomes for fathers, caregivers, and youth. The SFP is a seven-session intervention aimed at improving family relationships, parenting skills, and social and life skills among youth ages 10 to 14. It has been found to be effective among low-income families; however, it has not been evaluated with a reentering population. Eighty families participated in the SFP evaluation, including 80 fathers, 55 other caregivers, and 80 children. About half of the fathers lived with the participating child, and more than half of the participating caregivers were the biological mothers of the participating child. Study conclusions, limitations, and recommendations are provided. 12 tables