Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) needs assessment of parenting support programs for fathers

Article history: Received 3 September 2015 Received in revised form 7 March 2016 Accepted 10 May 2016 Available online 11 May 2016 This study reports the results of a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) needs assessment of programs, services, and support systems for fathers in the City ofDetroit,Michigan. The goal of this needs assessment was to assess the availability of parenting support services tomen throughmultiple perspectives. To enact a CBPR approach, the research team collected qualitative data through interviewswith service providers and community dialogues with fathers and consulted a community advisory board for further guidance on the research efforts. The research teamengaged inmember checking to improve the accuracy and credibility of studyfindings. Results indicated that both service providers and fathers agreed that very few parenting support services are available to fathers, particularly young African American fathers, and they also largely agreed in establishing priorities to address community fathers' parenting needs. Practice implications include the need for greater collaboration across service sectors and for greater outreach, possibly through technology, to young fathers. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.