Applying Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques to Employment Programming for Fathers: Findings from the B3 Study

MICHELLE S. MANNO EMILY BRENNAN ERIC COHN The Building Bridges and Bonds (B3) evaluation, a federally funded study of Responsible Fatherhood programs, is testing a set of three innovative approaches to helping fathers with low income improve their parenting and employment skills. One innovation, the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Justice Involved Individuals Seeking Employment (CBI-Emp), was added to the existing fatherhood services at three community-based organizations. CBI-Emp incorporates interactive cognitivebehavioral techniques with traditional job-readiness services intended to help improve the employment outcomes and earnings of fathers who were recently involved with the justice system. The evaluation, which is using a random assignment design, will assess outcomes including fathers’ reduced involvement in the criminal justice system; increased financial and emotional support for their children; and improved coping, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills to determine whether CBI-Emp is effective.

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