National Fatherhood Initiative's InsideOut Dad

Evidence Rating  
Evidence rating: Insufficient Evidence

Strategies with this rating have limited research documenting effects. These strategies need further research, often with stronger designs, to confirm effects.

Health Factors  
Decision Makers

InsideOut Dad is a program designed to connect incarcerated fathers to their families and prepare them for release. Facilitators meet weekly with a small group of inmates and guide them through 12 core education and 4 optional reentry sessions that address fathering knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors1.

What could this strategy improve?

Expected Benefits

Our evidence rating is based on the likelihood of achieving these outcomes:

  • Reduced recidivism

  • Improved family functioning

Potential Benefits

Our evidence rating is not based on these outcomes, but these benefits may also be possible:

  • Improved parenting

  • Increased self-confidence

  • Improved parent-child interaction

What does the research say about effectiveness?

There is insufficient evidence to determine whether InsideOut Dad decreases recidivism or strengthens families1. Available evidence suggests that program participants may improve knowledge of and attitudes toward parenting, self-confidence, and father/child contact2. Additional evidence is needed to confirm effects. 

Implementation Examples

InsideOut Dad is supported by the National Fatherhood Initiative3. As of 2013, more than 20 states have selected InsideOut Dad as the preferred parenting program for male correctional facilities2.

Footnotes

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1 CEBC - California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC). Information and resources for child welfare professionals: List of programs.

2 Block 2014 - Block S, Brown CA, Barretti LM. A mixed-method assessment of a parenting program for incarcerated fathers. Journal of Correctional Education. 2014; 65(1):50-68.

3 NFI - National Fatherhood Initiative.

Date last updated