State Standards for Batterer Intervention Programs: A Content Analysis.

Batterer intervention programs (BIPs) provide treatment options for domestic violence offenders across the United States with varying degrees of standardization of programs required by law. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current State Standards for Batterer Intervention Programs (SSBIPs) in the United States. The primary research question was to discern the minimum requirements and mandates for BIPs of the 50 states. Results from the content analysis of the 44 states with SSBIPs indicated that there were some commonalities (e.g., approach to offender treatment) among the standards; however, there persisted varied minimum standards within SSBIPs for a majority of elements within BIPs (e.g., intake, screening, and assessment procedures; curriculum; training and educational requirements for BIPs providers and supervisors; and evaluation of the BIP programs). Recommendations and implications are discussed.

Perceptions of masculinity and fatherhood among men experiencing homelessness.

This study explored the perceptions of fatherhood held by 11 men living in a homeless shelter. Using consensual qualitative research methodology (CQR; Hill, 2012), we investigated perceptions of masculinity and fatherhood among fathers experiencing homelessness. Participants described (a) their perceptions of masculinity and fatherhood and changes resulting from homelessness, (b) physical and psychological challenges of being a father experiencing homelessness, and (c) expectations of homeless fathers. The fathers generally expressed feelings of low self-esteem related to their perceived difficulty fulfilling the role of providers for their family; however, they also adapted their view of fatherhood to include roles suited to their situation, such as that of guide, teacher, and role model. Suggestions are made for clinicians in helping fathers navigate and develop these roles, and limitations and directions for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

The Interplanetary Internet: a communications infrastructure for Mars exploration.

A strategy is being developed whereby the current set of internationally standardized space data communications protocols can be incrementally evolved so that a first version of an operational "Interplanetary Internet" is feasible by the end of the decade. This paper describes its architectural concepts, discusses the current set of standard space data communications capabilities that exist to support Mars exploration and reviews proposed new developments. We also speculate that these current capabilities can grow to support future scenarios where human intelligence is widely distributed across the Solar System and day-to-day communications dialog between planets is routine.