Program Design Resources

Responsible Fatherhood Toolkit

Federal, evidence-based tools and frameworks for designing, implementing, and evaluating responsible fatherhood programs. All resources are free and publicly available.

NRFC Program Toolkit

The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse provides the primary federal toolkit for responsible fatherhood programs. All materials are free to download and use.

Fatherhood Program Toolkit (NRFC)

FederalCore Resource

The core federal toolkit covering program design, participant recruitment, facilitation, and evaluation. Includes templates, guides, and implementation checklists.

Building Strong Families Program Guide

ACFCurriculum

ACF's evidence-based program model for strengthening relationships between unmarried parents. Includes full curriculum and facilitator training materials.

Strengthening Families Program

Evidence-BasedCurriculum

Evidence-based family strengthening curriculum used in fatherhood programs nationwide. Includes parent, youth, and family skills training modules.

Promoting Responsible Fatherhood (ACF)

ACFGrantee Resource

ACF's official responsible fatherhood program page funding opportunities, program requirements, and grantee resources for federally funded programs.

Evidence-Based Curricula

These curricula have been evaluated in rigorous studies and are recommended by ACF and the NRFC for use in responsible fatherhood programs.

24/7 Dad®

All settings

National Fatherhood Initiative

One of the most widely used fatherhood curricula in the U.S. Covers fathering skills, healthy relationships, and personal responsibility. Available in English and Spanish.

InsideOut Dad®

Corrections

National Fatherhood Initiative

Designed specifically for incarcerated fathers. Helps men in correctional facilities develop fathering skills and maintain connections with their children.

Nurturing Fathers Program

Community

Family Development Resources

A 13-week evidence-based curriculum focused on nurturing parenting skills for fathers. Shown to improve father-child relationships and reduce risk of child abuse.

Dads Matter

Child Welfare

NRFC

A brief, accessible curriculum for engaging fathers in child welfare and social service settings. Focuses on father involvement and child well-being.

Fathers Reading Every Day (FRED)

Early Childhood

NRFC

A literacy-focused program that helps fathers build reading habits with their children. Simple, low-barrier entry point for father engagement.

Fathering After Violence

DV-Informed

Futures Without Violence

Curriculum for working with fathers who have used violence in their relationships. Focuses on accountability, safety, and healthy fathering.

Program Design & Planning

Frameworks and tools for building a program from the ground up or strengthening an existing one.

1

Define Your Population

  • Who are you serving? (age, geography, system-involvement)
  • What are their primary barriers to involvement?
  • What languages and literacy levels do you need to accommodate?
  • Are there specific subpopulations (incarcerated, re-entry, teen dads)?
2

Select Your Curriculum

  • Use ACF's evidence-based program registry to identify options
  • Match curriculum to your population's needs and context
  • Confirm facilitator training requirements before committing
  • Consider language access and cultural adaptation needs
3

Build Your Evaluation Plan

  • Define 3–5 measurable outcomes before the program starts
  • Use validated instruments (e.g., Father Involvement Scale)
  • Plan for pre/post data collection from day one
  • Align metrics with your funder's reporting requirements

Evaluation & Reporting Tools

Federal grantees and programs seeking to demonstrate impact need validated tools and clear reporting frameworks.

NRFC Evaluation Resources

Validated assessment tools, logic model templates, and outcome measurement guides specifically designed for responsible fatherhood programs.

ACF Performance Measures Guide

Official ACF guidance on performance measures and reporting requirements for Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) grantees.

Father Involvement Scale (FIS)

A validated, free instrument for measuring father involvement across multiple domains. Widely used in federally funded programs for pre/post assessment.

OPRE Research & Evaluation

ACF's Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation published studies, evaluation reports, and research briefs on responsible fatherhood program effectiveness.

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