There is no conflict of interest.
Highlights
- The study's objective was to examine the impact of the TRUE Dads program on employment.
- The study was a randomized controlled trial that assigned co-parenting teams to the treatment or control group. Using survey data, the authors conducted statistical models to compare the outcomes of treatment and control group participants.
- The study found that TRUE Dads program participants were significantly more likely to be employed at the one year follow-up than control group participants.
- This study receives a high causal evidence rating. This means we are confident that the estimated effects are attributable to TRUE Dads, and not to other factors.
Intervention Examined
Features of the Intervention
TRUE Dads is a fatherhood program based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that serves low-income fathers and co-parents. It aims to strengthen family dynamics by supporting fathers in three areas: 1) building strong, positive relationships with their children; 2) maintaining a healthy partnership with co-parents, whether they are wives, intimate partners, or other co-parents; and 3) helping fathers achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment. The program targets men of color aged 18 and older who are co-parenting children up to 12 years of age, with priority given to those with children aged birth to 5 years. Program participants must attend with their co-parent and live in or near Oklahoma City. Over a span of 16 weeks, all participants engage in group workshops and receive case management services. Co-parenting teams can also attend extra workshops on relationships and parenting, while fathers have the option to join a two-week employment program called WorkForward. Participants in WorkForward receive an evaluation of their education and job skills, engage in job-readiness training, and receive job placement assistance.
Features of the Study
The study was a randomized controlled trial. Co-parenting teams completed three surveys at intake. Of the 1,042 eligible co-parenting teams, 621 teams were assigned to the treatment group, and 241 teams were assigned to the control group. The treatment group received True Dads program services, while the control group could receive employment, parenting, public benefits, therapy, and other services from the community. Baseline data were collected from June 12, 2017 to June 30, 2019, and follow-up data were collected from June 12, 2018 to June 20, 2020. Data were obtained from intake surveys at baseline and one year follow-up surveys. Follow-up surveys were initially collected in-person but moved online in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each co-parent team received $30 for completing the baseline surveys and $50 for the follow-up survey. The authors used statistical models to compare the employment outcomes of treatment and control group members. Of the 779 fathers who had follow-up employment outcome data available, approximately 42% were non-Hispanic Black, 28% were non-Hispanic White, 37% were unemployed, 34% were married, 63% had at least a high school diploma, and the average age was 32.
Findings
Employment
- The study found a significant increase in the proportion of fathers in the treatment group who were employed at least part time at the one year follow-up compared to fathers in the control group.
Causal Evidence Rating
Topic Area
Research Guidelines
Review Protocol: Living Systematic Annual Search and Review Protocol
Review Guidelines: Causal Evidence Guidelines