Fresno FIRE Program for At-Risk Fathers

Overseen By Matt D Shepherd

Age: Any Age

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Midwest Evaluation & Research

Disqualifiers: Minor, Not father, Child over 24, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

466 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of the Fresno Area Workforce Development Board FIRE program evaluation is to determine whether primary (i.e., behaviors) and secondary (i.e., attitudes) outcomes improve for participants after completing the Fresno FIRE program. Understanding the ways in which the Fresno FIRE program supports healthy parenting relationships and financial stability is important for those providing services to at-risk fathers.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the Fresno FIRE Program trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

How does the Fresno FIRE Program treatment differ from other treatments for at-risk fathers?

The Fresno FIRE Program is unique because it focuses specifically on supporting father involvement through an interdisciplinary approach, which is not commonly addressed in traditional parenting programs. It aims to engage fathers, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, by integrating the program into community settings, making it more accessible and tailored to their needs. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What data supports the effectiveness of the Fresno FIRE Program treatment for at-risk fathers?

The SafeCare Dad to Kids program, which is similar to the Fresno FIRE Program, showed high satisfaction and improvements in father-child interaction skills among at-risk fathers, indicating that such programs can be effective in enhancing parenting skills and reducing risks of child maltreatment. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Matt D Shepherd, PhD

Principal Investigator

Midwest Evaluation & Research

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for fathers or father figures over the age of 18, with a child under 24 years old, living in Fresno, CA. It's aimed at those who are considered at-risk due to factors like living in high poverty areas or having past justice involvement. Men not residing in Fresno or without children under 24 cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a father or father figure to a child under 24 years old.

Has at-risk factors (residing in high poverty area, formerly justice-involved)

Residing in Fresno area, CA

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

Not a father/father figure

Reside outside of Fresno area, CA

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Enrollment and Program Participation

Participants enroll in the nine-week Fresno Fatherhood program, which includes 16 hours of 24/7 Dads curricula and at least 2 hours of career readiness workshops.

9 weeks

Immediate Post-Program Assessment

Participants' primary and secondary outcomes are assessed immediately after completing the program to evaluate changes in attitudes and behaviors.

1 week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in parenting and employment behaviors and attitudes 12 months after program enrollment.

12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Fresno FIRE Program

Trial Overview The evaluation focuses on the effectiveness of the Fresno FIRE program in improving behaviors and attitudes related to parenting and financial stability among at-risk fathers. The study will assess changes before and after program completion.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Primary Services Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Primary services: Participants receive 16 hours of 24/7 Dads curricula and at least 2 hours of career readiness workshops over the course of 9 weeks. Participants also receive ongoing job readiness support and post-employment support.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Midwest Evaluation & Research

Lead Sponsor

Trials

11

Recruited

11,700+

Fresno Area Workforce Development Board (FAWDB)

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

470+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The SafeCare® Dad to Kids (Dad2K) program, designed for at-risk fathers, showed high acceptability and satisfaction among participants, indicating its feasibility for behavioral parent training.

While both intervention and comparison groups reported decreases in psychologically aggressive behaviors, the Dad2K program specifically led to significant improvements in targeted father-child interaction skills, highlighting its potential to enhance positive parenting practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Initial Findings from a Feasibility Trial Examining the SafeCare Dad to Kids Program with Marginalized Fathers. Self-Brown, S., Osborne, MC., Lai, BS., et al.[2019]

Current early parenting programs primarily target mothers, which may limit the involvement of fathers in family support initiatives.

The paper highlights barriers to father involvement in these programs and suggests that insights from European and international fatherhood research can help create more inclusive strategies to engage fathers effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Fathers in Early Parenting Programs. Impulses from the European and International Fatherhood Research]. Ahnert, L.[2022]

Citations

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Initial Findings from a Feasibility Trial Examining the SafeCare Dad to Kids Program with Marginalized Fathers. [2019]

2. Spain pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Strengthening family interventions for the prevention of substance abuse in children of addicted parents]. [2007]

3. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Children with Multiple Risk Factor Exposition Benefit from the German "Strengthening Families Program"]. [2017]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessing the impacts of an interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement on professionals' practices with fathers: A qualitative study. [2020]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of responsible fatherhood programs on parenting, psychological well-being, and financial outcomes: A randomized controlled trial. [2022]

6. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Health Promotion Training for Parents]. [2016]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Programs with psycho-social support for fathers of infants and toddlers with special regard to their participation motivation]. [2010]

8. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Fathers in Early Parenting Programs. Impulses from the European and International Fatherhood Research]. [2022]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Designing for Multilevel Behavior Change: A Father-Focused Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Mexican-Heritage Families in South Texas Border Communities. [2021]