Fresno FAWDB FIRE Program Evaluation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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After being informed about the study and giving consent, participants will enroll in a nine-week Fresno Fatherhood program that collects data at enrollment, at the end of the program, and 12 months following the program. Research questions in this study are framed by a descriptive evaluation design to assess whether outcomes improve for low-income fathers who participate in the Fresno FIRE program. Primary and secondary outcomes are assessed before and after participants complete core curricula - 24/7 Dads and career readiness workshops (pre to post). Primary outcome measures will indicate whether behavior improved for healthy family relationships (parent, co-parent, and partner) and economic stability (financial, employment). Secondary outcomes will indicate whether improvements were made in the attitudes and expectations that facilitate and reflect behavior for healthy family relationships and economic stability.

Official Title
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Fresno Area Workforce Development Board Family-Focused, Interconnected, Resilient, Essential Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Program Evaluation

Conditions
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Fathers

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Primary Services


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Adult (age 18 and older) Father/father figure of child under 24 years of age Residing in Fresno area, CA Has at-risk factors (residing in high poverty area, formerly justice-involved) Exclusion Criteria: Minor (under the age of 18) Not a father/father figure Father of a child over 24 years of age Reside outside of Fresno area, CA

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Months

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Arms 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. Assigned Interventions 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.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Primary Services<br>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. | Other: Primary Services<br>* 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.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Healthy parenting behavior measurement #1 | 1A) Will participants report significantly healthier parenting behavior after completing primary educational services? Items measured include: Parenting behavior and interaction with children measured with: 7 items- frequency of engagement in key behaviors (categories, 5-point scale) Measured on the Healthy Parenting Behavior Scale #1 as: 1=Never 2=1 to 2 days per month 3=3 or 4 days per month 4=2 or 3 days per week 5=Every day or almost every day Higher ratings indicate higher frequency of engagement in parenting behavior and interaction with children, so the higher the rating, the better the score. | Change from baseline in behavior in parenting behavior (interaction with children at 12 months from enrollment).] | 
| Healthy parenting behavior measurement #2 | 1B) Will participants report significantly healthier parenting behavior after completing primary educational services? Items measured include: Parenting behavior and interaction with children measured with: 1 item- frequency of reaching out to children (categories, 4-point scale); Measured on the Healthy Parenting Behavior Scale #2 as Every day or almost every day One to three times a week One to three times in the past month Never in the past month A lower rating indicates a higher frequency of engagement in parenting behavior and interaction with children, so the lower the rating, the better the score. | Change from baseline in behavior in parenting behavior (interaction with children at 12 months from enrollment).] | 
| Healthy parenting behavior measurement #3 | 1C) Will participants report significantly healthier parenting behavior after completing primary educational services? Items measured include: Parenting behavior and interaction with children measured with: 1 item: hours spent w/children in last 30 days (interval) Measured in hours per day (choose from 1-24) on the Healthy Parenting Behavior Scale #3; higher scores indicate greater amount of time (in hours) spent with children, so the higher the hours, the better the score. | Change from baseline in behavior in parenting behavior (interaction with children at 12 months from enrollment).] | 
| Healthy co-parenting behavior measurement #1 | Will participants report significantly healthier co-parenting behavior after completing primary educational services? Items measured include: Co-parenting behavior measured with: 11 items: frequency of agreement with key co-parenting behaviors (interval, 5-point scale) Measured on the Healthy Co-Parenting Behavior Scale #1 as: Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree Five items, the higher the rating, the better the score. Six items are reverse-coded, so the lower the rating, the better the score. | Change from baseline in co-parenting behavior at 12 months from enrollment. | 
| Healthy financial behavior measurement #1 | Will participants report significantly healthier financial behavior after completing primary educational employment support services? Items measured include: Father financial behavior measured with: 3 items: yes (1) or no (0) questions for have resume, checking account, savings account (dichotomous) Yes responses indicate financial readiness, so the higher the rating, the better the score. | Change in parenting attitudes (towards children) at 12 months from enrollment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Healthy parenting attitudes measurement #1 | Will participants report significantly healthier parenting attitudes after completing primary educational employment support services? Items measured include: Parenting attitudes toward children measured with: 7 items: frequency of key attitudes (categories, 5-point scale) Measured on the Healthy Parenting Attitudes Scale #1 as: Always Often Sometimes Rarely Never Some items are reverse coded. For 4 items, a higher score is better. For 3 items, a lower score is better. | Change in parenting attitudes (towards children) at 12 months from enrollment.] |