Sara McGirr1, Jennifer Torres2, Julia Heany2, Hillary Brandon3, Carrie Tarry3, Christopher Robinson3. 1. Michigan Public Health Institute, 2342 Woodlake Drive, Okemos, MI, 48864, USA. smcgirr@mphi.org. 2. Michigan Public Health Institute, 2342 Woodlake Drive, Okemos, MI, 48864, USA. 3. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 109 W Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI, 48933, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Research shows that mainstream parenting and repeat pregnancy prevention programs generally do not effectively engage with fathers and that young men's levels of participation in such services are low. To support practitioners in overcoming the barriers to recruiting and retaining young fathers, the current study aimed to gather lessons learned from one program's state administrators, case managers, and young fathers about the most effective strategies for engaging this population in intensive case management. METHODS: Three focus groups were conducted. One focus group was held with the creators and managers of the Michigan Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program MI-APPP at the state Department of Health and Human Services (n = 3). The other two groups were designed to jointly engage young fathers currently involved in intensive case management (n = 11) and their case managers (n = 5). A qualitative analysis of the focus group transcripts was conducted using a coding scheme developed from emerging themes in the transcripts and related literature. RESULTS: The findings highlight a selection of those strategies that focus group participants perceived to be most successful in improving male recruitment and retention in intensive ongoing case management. Among these strategies were centralizing feedback from young fathers in program decision making, offering opportunities for young fathers to connect, and challenging staff's negative stereotypes about young fathers. DISCUSSION: Despite the small sample size, the results of this study nevertheless contribute to debates in the field regarding appropriate strategies for engaging young fathers by informing professional practice.
INTRODUCTION: Research shows that mainstream parenting and repeat pregnancy prevention programs generally do not effectively engage with fathers and that young men's levels of participation in such services are low. To support practitioners in overcoming the barriers to recruiting and retaining young fathers, the current study aimed to gather lessons learned from one program's state administrators, case managers, and young fathers about the most effective strategies for engaging this population in intensive case management. METHODS: Three focus groups were conducted. One focus group was held with the creators and managers of the Michigan Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program MI-APPP at the state Department of Health and Human Services (n = 3). The other two groups were designed to jointly engage young fathers currently involved in intensive case management (n = 11) and their case managers (n = 5). A qualitative analysis of the focus group transcripts was conducted using a coding scheme developed from emerging themes in the transcripts and related literature. RESULTS: The findings highlight a selection of those strategies that focus group participants perceived to be most successful in improving male recruitment and retention in intensive ongoing case management. Among these strategies were centralizing feedback from young fathers in program decision making, offering opportunities for young fathers to connect, and challenging staff's negative stereotypes about young fathers. DISCUSSION: Despite the small sample size, the results of this study nevertheless contribute to debates in the field regarding appropriate strategies for engaging young fathers by informing professional practice.
Entities:
Keywords:
Fatherhood; Recruitment; Retention; Teenage pregnancy; Young men
Authors: Amy Margolis; Tara Rice; Mousumi Banikya-Leaseburg; Ann E Person; Elizabeth Clary; Susan Zief; Katie Adamek; Jessica F Harding Journal: Matern Child Health J Date: 2020-09