This program was delivered to fathers who were divorced and did not have custody of their children and intended to impact fathers, mothers, and their children.

Dads for Life (DFL), a family- and community-based program, was designed to improve the father-child relationship, mother-father relationship, and the general experience for children that is created in divorce situations by enhancing parenting skills, coparenting and conflict management skills, and paternal commitment.

Results from a randomized controlled trial demonstrated that the DFL program helped to decrease mothers' and fathers' reports of their child's internalizing problems, especially among those whose child was more impaired prior to the start of the program, and effects were sustained through a 1-year follow-up.  No effects were found for externalizing problems.  In addition, results demonstrated that the DFL program significantly enhanced mothers', but not fathers', sense of coparenting over a 15-month period from the start of the program.  Moreover, the program significantly decreased both mothers' and fathers' perceptions of conflict over a 15-month period from the start of the program. The participants were predominately European American, so these findings may not generalize beyond this population.

The DFL program intended to promote healthy, positive relationships in divorced families. The program focused on increasing fathers' parenting skills, encouraging fathers' commitment to the parenting role, and improving coparenting and conflict management skills.

This program consisted of group and individual sessions.

• Group sessions were conducted by a male and a female facilitator. Each session used a 10-minute video segment, group discussion, role-play, and homework assignments to convey the lesson material and enhance skill acquisition. Five of the sessions were designed to address issues related to the father-child relationship. Two of the sessions addressed issues related to the father-mother relationship, and the final session served to reinforce learning and directed fathers to additional resources.
• Each individual session was tailored to the father's unique situation and emphasized overcoming barriers to positive father-child and father-mother interactions.

The evaluation conducted on the program was completed in July 2000 with 214 fathers in Maricopa County, Arizona. Further information on previous use of this program was not located.

This program was delivered by a pair (one male and one female) of master's-level counselors. Facilitators received ten 3-hour training sessions prior to implementing the program. During program implementation, they had weekly meetings with a Ph.D.-level clinician. 

This program is no longer available; however, considerations for implementing a similar program might include finding space to conduct the sessions, securing facilitators with suitable education, recruiting and retaining divorced fathers, and determining the best time to hold the sessions.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing a program similar to DFL, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

DFL was an 8-week program. There were eight group sessions, which lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes, and two 45-minute individual sessions.

Information on implementation costs was not located.

To move the DFL program to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence at least one external evaluation must be conducted that demonstrates sustained, positive outcomes. This study must be conducted independently of the program developer.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

This program is no longer available; however, you may also contact Jeff Cookston by phone 1-415-405-2133, or email cookston@sfsu.edu or contact Sanford Braver by phone 1-480-965-5405 or email sanford.braver@asu.edu

http://psychology-dev.clas.asu.edu/lab/prevention-research-center-prc/projects/dads (This website no longer contains program information); Braver, Griffin, and Cookston (2005); and Cookston, Braver, Griffin, De Luse, and Miles (2006).