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