National Center on Fathers and Families 

The National Center on Fathers and Families was established in 1994 at the Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, with core support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. 

NCOFF conducts and disseminates interdisciplinary research and evaluation that expands the knowledge base, supports practice, and informs policy designed to improve the well being of fathers, families, and children. 

The Center is deeply committed to examining issues that affect diverse populations, particularly parents, children, and families in minority and low-income homes and communities. 

In addition to its research studies, NCOFF disseminates information to the field through the Fathers and Families Roundtable Series, the Father & Family LINK, and the FatherLit Database, the only national repository of its kind housing fathers and families research. 

The Center is directed by Dr. Vivian L. Gadsen, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.