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Project Description

PFS centers on four core activities: employment and training services, peer support through group discussions focused on the rights and responsibilities of non-custodial parents, stronger and more flexible child support enforcement, and voluntary mediation services to help resolve conflict between the custodial and non-custodial parents. PFS is required for non-custodial parents (usually fathers) who are unable to meet child support obligations and have been referred to PFS by the courts.

Project duration: Jun 1991 - Jun 2001

Sites studied include Duval County (Jacksonville), Florida
Hampden County (Springfield), Massachusetts
Kent County (Grand Rapids), Michigan
Los Angeles County (Los Angeles), California
Mercer County (Trenton), New Jersey
Montgomery, Ohio
Shelby County (Memphis), Tennessee

Sample Characteristics and Sites Studied

In pilot phase study: 2,404 low-income individuals (non-custodial parents- mostly males).

In demonstration study: 5,611 Low-income individuals (non-custodial parents- mostly males) randomly assigned to program and control groups. 2,819 program and 2,792 control group members.

Recent Findings in Brief

12/01/01: Parents' Fair Share Demonstration: The Challenge of Helping Low-Income Fathers Support Their Children: Final Lessons From Parents' Fair Share

Final Descriptive/Analytical Findings

As a group, the fathers were very disadvantaged, although some were able to find low-wage work fairly easily. PFS increased employment and earnings for the least-employable men but not for the men who were more able to find work on their own. Most participated in job club services, but fewer than expected took part in skill-building activities. PFS encouraged some fathers, particularly those who were least involved initially, to take a more active parenting role. Many of the fathers visited their children regularly, although few had legal visitation agreements. There were modest increases in parental conflict over child-rearing decisions, and some mothers restricted the fathers’ access to their children. Men referred to the PFS program paid more child support than men in the control group. The process of assessing eligibility uncovered a fair amount of employment, which disqualified some fathers from participation but which led, nonetheless, to increased child support payments.

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