Two Studies of Father Involvement in Early Head Start Programs: A National Survey and a Demonstration Program Evaluation

Using data from a population survey of 261 Early Head Start programs and a father involvement demonstration of 21 programs, the authors examine the extent to which fathers participate in Early Head Start intervention programs for infants and toddlers. Fathers were present in the lives of a majority of Early Head Start children-70 percent in the national study, and 76 percent in the demonstration study. Fifty-nine percent of resident fathers and 30 percent of nonresident fathers reported participating in the Early Head Start program. Nearly a quarter of the fathers had high levels of participation (attended three or more events a month).