These resources offer examples of program evaluations and provide information on how to evaluate the effectiveness of parent education and support programs. Resources include Fatherhood Programs. Also, find State and local examples of these types of programs.
The Benefits of Parenting Education: A Review of the Literature for the Wilder Parent Education Center (PDF - 441 KB)
Rothe, Rogers-Tanner, & Skrypek (2016)
Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
Presents a literature review that examines the key benefits and best practices around parent education programs. One finding showed that parent education decreases use of corporal punishment and lowers the risk of child abuse because parents learn alternatives to physical punishment and change their mindset.
| Series Title | Factsheets |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 236KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2018 |
SafeCare: Evidence of Model Effectiveness
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness
Describes SafeCare, which aims to prevent and address factors associated with child abuse and neglect and provides evidence for the model, findings, and outcomes.
Fatherhood Programs
Making Good on Fatherhood: A Review of the Fatherhood Research (PDF - 1,905 KB)
Osborne, Dillon, Craver, & Hovey (2016)
Child & Family Research Partnership
Examines the history of fatherhood programs over the last several decades and examines the evidence base for fatherhood programs that work to strengthen fathers' involvement, build parenting skills, improve relationship quality, and increase economic stability.
Research and Validation
Nurturing Fathers
Provides information and links to research and validation related to the Nurturing Fathers program, an evidence-based parenting program for men. The research presented shows the effectiveness of the program.
Summary Report: The DAD MAP Evaluation: A Randomized Controlled Trial of A Culturally Tailored Parenting And Responsible Fatherhood Program (PDF - 1,393 KB)
Sarfo (2018)
Presents an evaluation study of the Developing All Dads for Manhood and Parenting (DAD MAP) curriculum from the Baltimore Center for Urban Families. This study examined outcome differences between low-income African American fathers participating in the DAD MAP curriculum compared to unstructured support groups.
Summary Report: Do Responsible Fatherhood Programs Work? A Comprehensive Meta-analytic Study (PDF - 938)
Holmes, Hawkins, Eggington, & Robbins (2018)
Fatherhood Research & Practice Network
Summarizes research findings detailing the efficacy of evaluating fatherhood programs. The research concluded that there need to be significant improvement in evaluating fatherhood programs as well as reporting rates of attrition and assessing child outcomes within these programs.
Summary Report: Enhancing Social Support for Low-Income Fathers
Lanier & Fatherhood Research & Practice Network (2017)
Explains the need of fatherhood research and presents evaluation results of a father-engagement model that emphasizes peer support.
State and local examples
Evaluating Texas' Child Maltreatment Prevention Program, Project HOPES: What We Learned and Where We Will Go
Nulu & McKerlie (2016)
Presents an evaluation of a child abuse prevention program in Texas, Project HOPES (Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support). The program aims to empower families and local communities in 24 counties across the State through education, skills building, and providing resources to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Military Families and Veterans Pilot Prevention Program Final Evaluation Report
Osborne, Benson, & Lane (2017)
Reports findings on effectiveness, challenges, and implications for improvement for a military family violence prevention program in Texas.
Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative 7-Year Cumulative Summary (PDF - 457 KB)
Oregon State University (2017)
Overviews community impact of the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative (OPEC) from 2010–2017. Major outcomes from the study included increasing access to and infrastructure of parenting education programs as well as increasing collaboration between communities.