This report presents information on policies and programs that support the engagement of fathers with their children in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. We are particularly interested in low-income, nonresident fathers, and, where feasible, we present data that address their circumstances and the challenges they face. The report covers ten areas of public policy: child support, child welfare, criminal justice, early childhood, education, employment, family law, food and housing, health and mental health, and responsible fatherhood. In each area, we present state-by-state information on the adoption of a variety of policies and programs that have the potential to support parent–child contact and/or ameliorate the barriers to parent–child contact that low-income, nonresident fathers face.

Download Chapter 1: Introduction of the report below.