ENHANCED SERVICES SUMMIT OCTOBER 28, 2009 Fathering Resources.
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Transcript of ENHANCED SERVICES SUMMIT OCTOBER 28, 2009 Fathering Resources.
ENHANCED SERVICES SUMMITOCTOBER 28, 2009
Fathering Resources
Cuyahoga County Fatherhood Initiative
Championed by Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones, the goals of the Initiative are;
Promote public awareness of the role of the father
Provide linkages to other public systems and improve service delivery to fathers
Fund fatherhood related programs on a county level
Local Fatherhood Resources
The Healthy Fathering Collaborative was established by the Community Endeavors Foundation in 2001 as a network of public and private agencies, providing services to fathers and families. By 2007, 92 agencies were included in that network.
Background Context
Strong isolated programs for fathers in 1990’s, not connected to each other or public systems
Social Welfare Policy not designed to include fathers/men
“Family” defined from mother’s perspective by social and health services, justice systems
Distinction between “Father’s Rights” groups and “Responsible Fatherhood” movement
Personal Barriers that Fathers Face
Undereducated UnderskilledLow earning potentialFathers and male role models not
presentEmotional ImmaturityLittle Knowledge of ParentingSubstance Abuse ProblemsMental Health ProblemsIncarceration
Systemic Barriers: Social Welfare System
Social Welfare Programs not available to noncustodial parents Education Job Training and Placement Health Care Earned Income Tax Credit Housing Legal Assistance
Child Welfare Agencies don’t include fathers and paternal relatives on case plans
Systemic Barriers: Child Support Agencies
Focus on “enforcement” rather than “support” for low income fathers
Enforcement techniques force the low income father to go underground
Low income fathers can’t be located so are unaware of cases and do not participate in process
Systemic Barrier: Custody of Children Born to Unmarried Parents
§ 3109.042 Custody rights of unmarried mother.
An unmarried female who gives birth to a child is the sole residential parent and legal custodian of the child until a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order designating another person as the residential parent and legal custodian. A court designating the residential parent and legal custodian of a child described in this section shall treat the mother and father as standing upon an equality when making the designation.
Beliefs
Children will be more successful and healthier if they have two active engaged parents who are in a cooperative low-conflict relationship (married or unmarried).
The vast majority of fathers want to be involved with their children, but may lack skills, knowledge or face personal, relationship and systemic barriers. Fathers often withdraw in shame when they face these barriers.
Goals
Develop a continuum of services for fathers, from expectant dads, through parenting issues to preparation of the next generation for fatherhood
Increase access points for fathers in public systems, including fathers in social welfare policy
Shift social policy from enforcement to support and accountability
Redefine “family” through the eyes and heart of the child
Targeting the “Magic Moment”
Research suggests that the childbirth event is a “magic moment” for the: development of a bond between a father and
his child Initiation of a cooperative relationship
between mother and father The “magic moment” provides social and
health practitioners a valuable opportunity to engage and involve an unmarried father in the life of his child and in a cooperative parenting relationship with the mother of his child.
“Magic Moment” Programming
Boot Camp for New Dads – childbirth education for expectant (and new) fathers
Engaging Fathers in Help Me Grow and MomsFirst home visits – prenatal, newborn and ongoing
Training of Health Care Practitioners on engaging and involving new fathers in the childbirth event
Celebrate Fathers at the time of paternity establishment
Connect fathers to community resources at the time of paternity establishment
Healthy Fathering Collaborative Site
Healthy Fathering Collaborative
Fatherhood Initiative
Fathering Resources on the Web
Dads and Daughters www.dadsanddaughters.org (making the world safe and fair for daughters)
Dads Unlimited www.daddying.com (helping fathers become the DADS they want to be)
Dr. Dad www.drdad.info (resource for expectant fathers)
Family and Corrections Network www.fcnetwork.org
Father Involvement Network (Canada) www.cfii.ca/fiion/
Fathers Perspective www.fathersperspective.com (online and print subscription magazine for fathers)
Fatherhood Resources
Father Work http://fatherwork.byu.edu/ (providing stories, ideas and activities to encourage generative fathering)
National Center on Fathering www.fathers.comNational Fatherhood Initiative www.fatherhood.orgNational Fatherhood Leadership Group
www.nflgonline.orgNational Latino Fatherhood and Families Institute
www.nlffi.org (offering a path for men of all ages to become Un Hombre Noble, or a Noble Man)
Native American Fatherhood and Families Association http://nativeamericanfathers.org/ (strengthening Native American families through the involvement of fathers)
Local Contact Information
211 First Call for Help
Healthy Fathering Collaborative of Greater Cleveland : Steve Killpack 216.502.4795
Fatherhood Initiative of Cuyahoga County Al Grimes 216.698.2869