Date of Conferral

3-19-2026

Degree

Doctor of Human Services (D.H.S.)

School

Human Services

Advisor

Barbara  Benoliel

Abstract

Single fathers are an increasing population in the United States and worldwide. However, the literature and programs that guide human services professionals supporting single fathers’ parenting experience are limited in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. There is a need to further study the varied challenges these fathers experience so that professionals in social support organizations and agencies can implement appropriate services, support, programs, and resources into practice and ensure access to support their families and parenting. This qualitative study includes a force field analysis as part of a formative program needs assessment to explore human services professionals' perceptions of service needs, peer supports, programs, and resources for single custodial fathers. Narrative data were collected from open-ended surveys of 20 volunteer participants, which were summarized and ranked in order of importance for implementation. Findings from this study show that human services professionals recognized some of the challenges that single custodial fathers may experience throughout their parenting journeys, while indicating the need to tailor services, social support, new programming elements, and access to resources to single fathers. These findings contribute to social change by adding to the practice literature on the supports needed for single custodial fathers.

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