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Objectives: This paper investigates a community-based intervention for young fathers, FatherWorks, compared to care-as-usual, 24/7 Dads. We hypothesized that utilizing the FatherWorks intervention (a 15 session parenting intervention, 13 session employment class, paid internship, case management, and access to behavioral health services) will assist in readiness to use condoms and increase condom usage, which may differ by race/ethnicity. Methods: Eligible males (n = 328) were enrolled into a Randomized Control Trial. Participants were 15–24 years old and had fathered one or more children with a female under the age of 21. A survey was taken at baseline and at 15 weeks following the intervention. Results: Analyses of changes indicated that intervention participants improved from the pre-contemplation stage of condom usage towards contemplation, and from preparation to action. The pattern of improvement in the condom use stage of change was different in African-American versus Hispanic participants. Changes in condom use during last intercourse were not significant. Conclusions: Study findings indicate that FatherWorks is successful in increasing the intent to use condoms, with the effect manifesting differently in African-American and Hispanic young fathers. Future work with minority fathers indicates a need for cultural adaptation of the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to understand landlords' attitudes toward applicants with histories of sex offenses and landlords' willingness to broaden eligibility criteria for tenancy. Design/methodology/approach: A convenience sample of 50 landlords in Connecticut were interviewed. The content of interviews was analyzed to examine how often a landlord would be open to renting to individuals on the sex offender registry and what conditions affect their decisions. Findings: In total, 44% of landlords would not rent to adults with histories of sex offenses under any circumstance, but 8% of landlords reported they would rent to such individuals and an additional 36% of landlords were open to it with a high threshold for other indicators of good tenancy such as stable housing history, good credit and timely rental payments. Practical implications: These findings not only illustrate the real-world challenges in finding housing for adults with histories of sex offenses but also highlight opportunities in working with landlords. Originality/value: There has been little examination of housing adults with sex offenders from the perspective of landlords, which is important to understand to address this difficult and sensitive issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of information concerning adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), especially with regards to their access to health care. A paper and electronic survey was sent to 1,580 primary care physicians in Connecticut. 346 respondents returned a survey and provided care to adults with an ASD. This physician survey provides data on adults with ASD such as: reasons for physician visits, living arrangements, employment status, and any services they are receiving. Responses revealed inadequate training in the care of adults with an ASD and physicians interest in obtaining additional training. The ability to provide a medical home for adults with autism will need to address effective strategies to train current and future physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined adolescent paternity through structured interviews with their social workers. It adds to the literature by exploring if there were young men involved with the child protection services (CPS) system who are fathers, identifying their unique needs, and beginning discussions on working with these young men. CPS social workers from six area offices and one juvenile detention facility completed surveys for each father on their caseload. A 3.5% rate of adolescent paternity was observed across these offices. Information about the nature of the young men's involvement with CPS, their involvement with their children, and their unique needs as fathers are provided. This paper also identifies some practice and policy implications for adolescent fathers and CPS charged with their care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longitudinal epidemiologic studies with irregularly observed categorical outcomes present considerable analytical challenges. Generalized linear models (GLMs) tolerate without bias only values missing completely at random and assume that all observations contribute equally. A triggered sampling study design and an analysis using inverse intensity weights in a GLM offer promise of effectively addressing both shortcomings. A triggered sampling design generates irregularly spaced outcomes because, in addition to regularly scheduled follow-up interviews, it specifies that data be collected after a “trigger” (a decline in health status during follow-up) occurs. It is intended to mitigate bias introduced by study participant loss to follow-up. For each observation, an inverse intensity weight is calculated from an Anderson-Gill recurrent-event regression model whose events of interest are observed interviews; the weights help to equalize observation contributions. Investigators in the Longitudinal Examination of Attitudes and Preferences (LEAP) Study (1999–2002), a Connecticut study of seriously ill older adults at the end of life, used a triggered sampling design. In this paper, the authors analyze data from the LEAP Study to illustrate the methods and benefits of inverse intensity weighting in GLMs. An additional benefit of the analytical approach presented is that it allows for assessment of the utility of triggered sampling in longitudinal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]