Insights

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We believe in sharing the best resources and research to improve outcomes for children and families. In this section you’ll find our research and publications.

Review of the Community Mothers Programme Report

The Katharine Howard Foundation (KHF) and the Community Foundation for Ireland (CFI) have been aware for many years of the work carried out through the Community Mothers Programme in locations
around Ireland. Both Foundations have provided financial supports to a number of these projects on occasions. From our experience, the Community Mothers Programme has been an important resource
in providing early and valued support to families in their own homes and communities.

In recent years, CFI and KHF were concerned to hear that a number of Community Mothers Programme sites had closed while others had significant fears for their future. As a result, we agreed that it would
be beneficial to conduct a review of the current status of the Community Mothers Programme in Ireland with a view to informing the development of a strategic plan for the future of the Programme. The focus of this review is on the nine remaining sites delivering the Community Mothers Programme or an equivalent and similar programme.

The Katharine Howard Foundation, in conjunction with The Community Foundation for Ireland, hosted the launch of Community Mothers Programme review in the Richmond Education Centre on Thursday 11 April 2019. The presentations of the launch are available to view and download below:

Susan Brocklesby Consultant, Review of the Programme Presentation
Bernie McNally, DCYA, Presentation
Launch Rolling Presentation

Giving our Children the Best Start in Life – Survey Results

KHF carried out an online survey with parents as part of Universal Children’s Day 2017.

The focus of the survey was on pregnancy and early childhood and provides a snapshot of parent’s views on what helps and supports them in their parenting role.

 

Community Matters Series

In 2018 KHF completed the 7th edition of the Community Matters Series, which provides a summary of the Parenting Network Initiative. The summary includes the rationale for PSI, KHF’s approach to planning and developing PSI and an outline of the different project themes.  The three key elements of the Initiative are highlighted – collaborative working, engaging parents and training in and delivery of Parenting Support Programmes. Central to this work is the recognition of the importance of capturing and sharing the learning from PSI both with the projects involved and with other organisations, agencies and funders with a commitment to supporting parents and young children.

 

 

Young Men on the Margins

Young Men on the Margins presents the direct voices of homeless men in Dublin. It highlights how, from childhood onwards, negative economic and social experiences combined at family and community level to create a process where young men moved from living at home to being out-of-home. It draws attention to the absence of appropriate economic and social supports at crucial stages to prevent the drift into homelessness.

 

The Whitaker Committee Report 20 Years On
Lessons Learned or Lessons Forgotten?

This report was compiled jointly by the Katharine Howard Foundation (KHF) and the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) and launched by the Minister for Justice, Mr Brian Lenihan on the 25th July 2007. The intention of the report is to review the implementation of the Whitaker report which was published in 1985. The overall intention with this project is to stimulate reflection and debate on the future of penal policy in Ireland.