Family Strengthening Programs: Where Do We Go From Here?

Family fragility in the US, especially among unmarried, impoverished parents is of increasing concern to policymakers, researchers, and practitioners involved with promoting family stability and positive outcomes for children. Federal initiatives such as the Welfare-to-Work Program and the Health Marriage Initiative have fallen far short of their goals of fostering economic mobility and intact families. Between 2007 and 2011 the Strong Couples-Strong Children (SC – SC) project enrolled 726 low-income, expecting and new parents into a relationship strengthening program. Participants received a manualized group intervention focusing on communication and problem-solving skills supplemented with family-care wrap-around services. While beneficial treatment effects were found on six of ten critical outcomes variables, families continued to experience chronic economic hardships. In focus groups conducted in the final year, participants conveyed multiple strengths, including a strong commitment to their families and bettering their lives through gainful employment. They also reported, however, that constant worry about finances had erosive effects on their self-esteem, (particularly males) and partner relationships. Barriers to employment varied by race and gender as did ideas on needed resources. Similarities and differences in strengths and challenges were subsequently supported by survey data. Survey data also refute negative family stereotypes. On average couples were together for 3.5 years; 79% were cohabitating and 98% planned to have father’s name on the birth certificate. Survey data supplemented by focus group interviews suggest future directions. Efforts to support disadvantaged families must focus on not only enhancing relational assets but also human capital particularly by supporting education, employment aspirations and strong entrepreneurial desires. Given differences in perceptions of needed resources, future programs need to be both tailored and comprehensive

California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CalYOUTH): Early Findings from the Child Welfare Worker Survey

This report presents findings from the Child Welfare Worker Survey, an on-line survey of 235 California child welfare workers and their perceptions of key characteristics of the service delivery context of extended foster care, including: the availability of transitional living services; coordination between the child welfare system and other service systems such as county courts; and youth attitudes toward extended care. This report provides a valuable snapshot of how youths' caseworkers, central players in the implementation of extended foster care, perceive young people making the transition to adulthood out of care and the service context for that transition

Relationship dissolution in complex family structures: the role of multipartnered fertility

Multipartnered fertility (MPF) is a growing phenomenon in many families and occurs in as many as 74% of couples in certain socio-economic groups. MPF describes the occurrence of parents having children with more than one partner. As these are often couples that social workers meet in various service environments, understanding their needs is an important consideration for social work practice, policy, and research. Previous evidence demonstrates that couples with MPF are at an increased risk for unstable relationships, yet we know little about the timing of relationship dissolution and the differential role that MPF plays in union instability. The primary research question for this study is: To what extent does multipartnered fertility influence whether and when a couple divorces or separates if they are married, cohabiting, or dating? The data (N = 3,022) come from three waves of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a multistage stratified probability sample of hospital births in 20 large U.S. cities. Kaplan-Meier estimates are used to describe the event by illustrating the length of time couples remain in their relationship and to test group differences. Survival analysis using discrete-time models is used to estimate the effects of MPF and covariates on relationship dissolution. The survivor function suggests a decreasing rate of remaining in the relationship over the study period, especially in father-only and father/mother MPF cases. Furthermore, the hazard function indicates a fast rate of dissolution in the early period following birth, especially among these two groups. The discrete-time models show that father-only and father/mother MPF cases are significantly more likely to end their relationship than couples without MPF, after other factors are accounted for. Moreover, unmarried couples, previously incarcerated fathers, younger mothers, and unsupported mothers are more likely to separate. Multipartnered fertility among both mothers and fathers may play a critical role in the outcome of couple relationships. The findings from this study suggest that programs and policies to strengthen unmarried couples need to take MPF into consideration, and should carefully consider the timing of interventions to ensure that they are provided at the appropriate time

Findings from the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CalYOUTH): Conditions of Foster Youth at Age 17

This report presents findings from the Baseline Youth Survey, providing the most comprehensive view to date of young people approaching the transition to adulthood from foster care in the wake of the federal Fostering Connections Act. Information gathered during interviews with 727 youths who were an average of 17 years old at the time, offers insight into the needs and aspirations of transition-age foster youth. Study findings can help inform efforts to improve policies and services for foster youths' transitioning to adulthood

Findings from the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CalYOUTH): Conditions of Youth at Age 19

The "CalYOUTH Wave 2 Youth Survey", conducted when the young people participating in CalYOUTH were 19 years old, follows up on a survey of the same young people when they were approaching the age of majority in California's foster care system. More than 80 percent of the youth who took part in the baseline interviews participated in the Wave 2 survey. The report provides the most comprehensive view to date of young adults making the transition to adulthood from foster care in California, highlighting differences between young people participating in extended foster care and young people who had left care. The report provides feedback for all parties interested in improving youth's transitions from foster care to adulthood

Teacher perspectives on careerrelevant curriculum in middle school

Abstract Relevant, challenging, integrative, and exploratory all describe the curriculum desirable in middle school (National Middle School Association, 2010). Careerrelevant curriculum is one prominent strategy used since the 1970s to achieve these goals. Systematic, integrated, and contemporary efforts at career education often engage core teachers who plan and deliver the curriculum. For this study, a measure was created to assess teacher perspectives of career education efforts in middle school. A two-factor structure (career integration and future orientation) was demonstrated in exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the survey. Results from 291 middle school teachers reveal the potential of career education infusion into the core curriculum, with nominal but statistically significant differences in gender, subject matter, and socioeconomic status of the school. Implications for middle school educators are provided