Established in 2013, the Fathers Corps aims to create a father-friendly system of care by building the capacity of service providers to effectively support fathers, particularly low-income fathers of color not residing with their young children. The evaluation, conducted between February 2023 and January 2024, assesses the program’s impact on fathers, service providers, and public systems. Key findings indicate significant improvements in fathers’ parenting skills, social support networks, and interactions with their children. Service providers reported enhanced organizational practices and new programs targeting fathers. Recommendations for improvement include better recruitment strategies, more individualized support, and expanded referrals to services. The document also highlights the need for systemic changes to better serve fathers and suggests future directions for the program.
Forward Change was engaged by the Fathers Corps programs of First 5 Alameda County to conduct an evaluation of the Fathers Corps program model.