InsideOut Dad®
InsideOut Dad® is a parenting program designed to help incarcerated fathers of children ages 0–18 develop fathering skills. InsideOut Dad aims to support the growth of caring and compassionate fathers by helping dads improve their knowledge, behaviors, and skills. For fathers preparing for release, the program also seeks to build skills for reconnecting, parenting, and other responsibilities in the reentry process. Facilitators teach content related to the five characteristics of an InsideOut Dad: self-awareness, caring for self, fathering skills such as being a positive father figure and role model, parenting skills such as nurturing your children, and relationship skills. Facilitators typically deliver InsideOut Dad in a small group setting but can also deliver the program one-on-one.
InsideOut Dad includes core sessions that must be implemented, as well as optional reentry sessions that can be implemented when working with fathers who are preparing for release. The 12 core sessions include: (1) getting started, (2) family history, (3) what it means to be a man, (4) showing and handling feelings, (5) men’s health, (6) creating a plan for fathering while incarcerated, (7) communication, (8) the father’s role, (9) children’s growth, (10) discipline, and (11) co-parenting, (12) change and impact. The six optional reentry sessions include: (1) tips for reentry and reconnecting with family, (2) responsibilities and child support, (3) visits with children upon release, (4) communication patterns, (5) safe communication, and (6) money management. If the optional sessions are implemented, only fathers who have child support or visitation participate in the second and third sessions. Over the course of the program, each father completes activities in a “Fathering Handbook” and develops a personalized “Fathering Plan” which identifies specific ways they will connect with their children and work with their child’s primary caregiver.
Sessions follow a consistent format that includes a warm-up, interactive activities, and a closing. Facilitators begin each session with a warm-up activity designed to welcome fathers and let them share their thoughts and feelings. Next, fathers complete interactive activities designed to help them develop specific competencies related to the session topic through role play and discussion. Finally, facilitators end each session with a closing activity where fathers answer questions designed to assess their knowledge of the session topic and log the most important things they learned during the session.
InsideOut Dad does not currently meet criteria to receive a rating because no studies met eligibility criteria for review.
Date Last Reviewed (Handbook Version 2.0): Jul 2025
Date Program or Service Description Last Updated: Jul 2025
Date Originally Reviewed (Handbook Version 2.0): Jul 2025
Sources
The following sources informed the program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information: the program or service manual, the program or service developer’s website, and the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare.
This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, download the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 2.0
Target Population
InsideOut Dad is designed for incarcerated fathers of children ages 0–18.
Dosage
Facilitators typically deliver InsideOut Dad over 12 weekly sessions, each lasting 2 hours, and six additional optional weekly 2-hour sessions for fathers who are preparing for release. Facilitators can choose to include an additional 2-hour introductory session. If needed, facilitators can modify the number and duration of sessions as long as they cover all program content. Facilitators typically deliver sessions to groups of 12 or fewer fathers but can also deliver the program one-on-one with individual fathers. InsideOut Dad recommends using two co-facilitators for group formats, although a single facilitator is allowed.
Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings
Facilitators typically deliver InsideOut Dad in justice settings but can also deliver the program virtually.
Education, Certifications and Training
Facilitators are not required to be men and are not required to be parents themselves. The program recommends that facilitators participate in training before implementing the program but does not require training. Facilitators can choose to participate in an online, on-demand InsideOut Dad training that consists of 37 lessons completed through 3.5 hours of video content. The training includes instruction on the program format and topics, session structure, implementation, facilitation skills, and recruitment and retention strategies. Participants receive a certificate upon completing the course. Facilitators can also choose to earn an Effective Facilitation CertificateTM by completing a 6-hour online on-demand training focused on the characteristics and skills of effective fatherhood program facilitators. The program also offers in-person or webinar trainings that they can customize to meet an organization’s specific needs and train-the-trainer trainings upon request.
Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review
- Brown, C., Bavolek, S., & Yudt, M. (2022). InsideOut Dad® facilitator's manual: Core sessions (3rd ed). National Fatherhood Initiative®.
- Brown, C., Bavolek, S., & Yudt, M. (2022). InsideOut Dad® facilitator's manual: Reentry sessions (3rd ed). National Fatherhood Initiative®.
- Brown, C., Bavolek, S., & Yudt, M. (2022). InsideOut Dad® fathering handbook (3rd ed). National Fatherhood Initiative®.
Available languages
InsideOut Dad materials are available in English and Spanish.
Other supporting materials
How to Run InsideOut Dad® in Jails and Other Short-Stay Correctional Facilities
InsideOut Dad® Fidelity Checklist
For More Information
Website: https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources
Phone: (240) 912-1263
Email: fathersource@fatherhood.org
Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.
| Results of Search and Review | Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for InsideOut Dad® |
|---|---|
| Identified in Search | 4 |
| Eligible for Review | 0 |
| Rated High | 0 |
| Rated Moderate | 0 |
| Rated Low | 0 |
| Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm | 0 |
Studies Not Eligible for Review
Study 15269
Block, S., Brown, C. A., Barretti, L. M., Walker, E., Yudt, M., & Fretz, R. (2014). A mixed-method assessment of a parenting program for incarcerated fathers. Journal of Correctional Education, 65(1), 50-67. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26507640
Economic Development Research Group. (2012). Assessing the impact of the InsideOut Dad® program on Newark Community Education Center residents. Rutgers University. https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/135704/file-561437088-pdf/Research_Eval_Files/368_IoDEvalRpt_NREPP_120712.pdf?hsCtaTracking=ba0104b6-934e-4927-9fbe-d913a20958aa%7C183cc073-a28b-46a1-a6fd-b602146b76e5
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 2.0, Section 4.1.9)Study 15285
Smith, L. G. (2008). National Fatherhood Initiative InsideOut Dad™ program: Evaluation report. National Fatherhood Initiative. https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/135704/file-561339358-pdf/Research_Eval_Files/60_IOD_Evaluation_Report.pdf?hsCtaTracking=e43d6d8e-26c5-4f7e-869b-16d1064b33e0%7Cfa186509-e1ce-4db1-a27c-e114423305ea
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 2.0, Section 4.1.9)Study 15286
Spain, S. (2009). National Fatherhood Initiative InsideOut Dad™ program in Maryland and Ohio prisons: Evaluation report. National Fatherhood Initiative. https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/135704/file-567569165-pdf/Research_Eval_Files/57_ONeil_IOD_FINAL-REPORT_Evaluation_022309.pdf?hsCtaTracking=98c8ad6d-148c-43d3-92d4-c5dcbc8f9e1e%7Cab513675-dcca-4675-a79d-78b438be1c5f
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Handbook Version 2.0, Section 4.1.9)Study 15287
Turner, J. J., Bradford, K., Higginbotham, B. J., & Coppin, A. (2020). Examining the outcomes of the InsideOut Dad fatherhood education program for incarcerated minority fathers. The Family Journal, 29(3), 305-315. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480720978541
This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Handbook Version 2.0, Section 4.1.5)