Observational StudyHorizon Eagle Fatherhood Program

Horizon Outreach has developed the Horizon Eagle Fatherhood Program (HEFP). HEFP includes a program/services aspect, but also includes a rigorous evaluation component, featuring a randomized control trial (RCT) research design. The evaluation will determine the effect of the Horizon Eagle Fatherhood Program with fathers aged 18 and up in Houston, Texas. Specifically, the research is examining the effects of the program relative to: (1) improvement in healthy relationship and marriage skills, (2) improvement in parenting skills, (3) improvement in conflict resolution and anger management skills, and (4) improvement in financial management skills and progress toward greater economic stability.

Program participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Participants assigned to the intervention group will receive the program now. Participants assigned to the control group will have an opportunity to receive the program later. All participants (intervention and control) will complete a pretest questionnaire. Intervention participants will then participate in the Horizon Eagle Fatherhood program. This is an intensive 40-hour classroom-based program taught by project staff. Both intervention and control participants will receive case management services. Following completion of the program by the intervention participants, all participants will complete a posttest questionnaire. After completion of the posttest, all participants will have an opportunity to participate in a workforce training program. Six months following posttest, all participants will complete a third questionnaire. In addition, a selected number of participants will participate in focus groups. After completing the six-month follow-up questionnaire, participants from the control group may participate in the 40 hours of classroom instruction, should they choose to do so.

This RCT research design component of the Horizon Eagle Fatherhood Program began in June of the second project year. Prior to the start of the RCT, a pilot/readiness project with no control group was conducted. This was followed by a short-term pilot of the RCT.