Head Start and Nonresident Fathers' Involvement with Children

Abstract

This study explores the associations of children's Head Start participation with the involvement and material contributions of their nonresident fathers. Background: Head Start, which provides comprehensive child care services to over 1 million low-income children annually, aims to enhance relationships and increase parental involvement among participating families. Prior studies indicate that Head Start increases engagement among mothers of participating children; however, little is known about its effects on father involvement, particularly that of nonresident fathers. Method: Analyses are based on longitudinal data from the first five waves of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study and focus on children with nonresident biological fathers at years 5 (N = 1,464) and 9 (N = 1,173). Associations are estimated between children's Head Start participation prior to kindergarten entry (at Age 5) and nonresident fathers' material contributions and social involvement at years 5