Helping Children and Families by Addressing Low-income Fathers

The report calls for low-income fathers to be a greater part of family policy.

According to the report, current poverty programs that serve families often narrow their focus on women and children; they neglect to account for the emotional and financial support fathers are capable of contributing. The report urges policymakers to further include men within the notion of “family” for policy purposes. Additionally, the report advises policymakers to address low-income fathers’ disconnection from employment, society and housing.

The report, published in June 2010 by the Center for American Progress, concludes that the best results will require more than the $500 million the Obama administration recommends for the proposed Fatherhood, Marriage and Families Innovation Fund. It also suggests coordinating existing programs in homeless services, child welfare and reentry/crime prevention in order to create the best resources for families.
 

Read the report.