Pregnancy Resource Centers on the Frontlines of Fatherhood

2012 National Fatherhood Initiative1

PRC’s On the Front Lines

of Restoring Fatherhood

_____________________________

Ave Mulhern

National Fatherhood Initiative

2012 National Fatherhood Initiative

your LIFE work…

And think more about…

Life ABUNDANT!

I want you to re-think …

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Our Center is intentional about reaching out to fathers (or fathers to be):

All the time Sometimes We need help! Not really Never

POLL

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Our Center has partners with other agencies for resources and services for fathers or fathers to be:

Yes No Not really We’d like to

POLL

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[Slide Title Here]

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Bulleted list setup Bullet b Bullet c Bullet d

> [opening statement or main point of slide here]


Be a Dad

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A Tale of Two Dads

It is the best of times and

the worst of times for

fatherhood in America.


Defining the Issue

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24 million children live in homes absent their biological father* 1 of 3 children nationally - triple the rate of 1960 - live in father-absent

homes* 2 of 3 in the African American community live in father-absent homes* 2 of 5 children in father-absent homes have contact with their fathers

less than once per month** 9 in 10 moms and dads believe there is a father absence crisis in

America today**** From the U.S. Census Bureau, “America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2010”** From Aquilino, W.S. (2006). The noncustodial father-child relationship from adolescence into young adulthood. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68, 929-946 ***From National Fatherhood Initiative’s “Mama Says” and “Pop’s Culture” surveys (2009 and 2006)

> There are record levels of father absence in America

> However, today’s involved fathers are more involved than ever

Since 1965, fathers have more than doubled their time doing child care and house work*

Societal agreement on the notion that dads should not only provide for their children, but nurture and guide them,

too

*Anthes, E. (2010, May/June). Family guy. Scientific American Mind


Children in father-absent homes are two to five times more likely to: live in poverty fail in school develop emotional or behavioral problems abuse drugs be abused and neglected become involved in crime commit suicide

Why Fathers Matter

> The Consequences of Father Absence

> The Benefits of Father Involvement

Children with involved fathers are more likely to have:

better cognitive outcomes, even as infants

higher self-esteem and less depression as teenagers

higher grades, test scores, and overall academic achievement

lower levels of drug and alcohol use

higher levels of empathy and other pro-social behavior


> NFI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that was founded in 1994 to begin a society-wide movement to renew fatherhood in America.

Who is National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI)?

National Fatherhood Initiative Mission:

To improve the well-being of children by increasing the

proportion of children with involved, responsible, and committed

fathers in their lives.

EducateEducate and inspire all Americans, especially

fathers, through public awareness campaigns,

research, and other resources.

Equip Equip fathers & develop leaders of national,

state, and community fatherhood initiatives

through curricula, training, and technical

assistance.

EngageEngage every sector of society through

strategic alliances and partnerships.

NFI’s Mission is carried out using a “Three E” Strategy


NFI’s National Surveys


There is a father absence crisis...


… But Dads are Seen as “Replaceable”

What moms

think…


Do Dads Have the Skills?

• Over half of dads feel they are replaceable.

• Only half of dads reported that they felt ready to be fathers when they first became

fathers.

• Only a third of dads strongly agree with the statement that they have all the necessary

skills and knowledge to be good fathers.

What Dads think…

2006 Pop’s Culture: A National Survey of Dads’ Attitudes on Fathering


Do Dads Have the Skills? (cont.)

• Moms not living with dads reported “lack of knowledge about

how to be a good dad” as the biggest obstacle to good fathering

and “lack of parenting resources designed specifically for

fathers” as 3rd highest. These obstacles ranked 3rd and 4th for

moms overall!

• Moms not living with dads were very dissatisfied with dad’s

performance…

2009 Mama Says: A National Survey of Mothers’ Attitudes on Fathering

What Moms think…


Moms and Dads Disagree on Obstacles

What Dads Overall Think The Obstacles Are

1. Work responsibilities

2. Media/popular culture

3. Financial problems

4. Lack of knowledge

5. Child’s mother*

What Moms Overall Think The Obstacles Are

1. Work responsibilities

2. Dad’s relationship with own dad

3. Lack of knowledge

4. Lack of parenting resources for dads

5. Lack of support from relatives/friends


Strategy: “Field of Dreams” vs. “Pepsi”

Vs.

How do organizations restore fatherhood?


NFI is the #1 provider of fatherhood resources & the #1 trainer of organizations…

…and distributed over 5.8 million skill building resources!


You Are Not Alone In Your Efforts

Head Starts

Child Support Enforcement Offices

FedEx

FranklinCovey®

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Military

State Departments of Corrections

the Y (YMCA)

Salvation Army

Other faith-based charities

Community Action Agencies

And many more…


Examples of The Impact of Fatherhood Programming

“I graduated InsideOut Dad™ [from a Texas prison] in 2008… I was released [in] January…

and…have re-established contact with my children… They are truly amazed at how much I

have changed… I just wanted you to know how important your program is and how much I

appreciate the time and work you invested in helping me to realize that it is never too late.

…Thank you...” –Timothy

“[I learned that] I parented my kids the way I was raised. I don ’t have to be my dad and I

can change (for the better) the way I parent.” -- Father, on using the 24/7 Dad™ Interactive

CD-ROM

"My husband...said it best when he said, 'I thought common sense would be enough.' Thank

you, NFI, for offering the tools to help this new father add the most important letters to his

post-graduate/business titles, D.A.D.!!!” -- Mother, Registered Nurse


Which of these people is going to be a parent?

A: her

B: him

C: both

D: neither


Awareness

Point of engagement The message and the messenger Center Values


Unmarried mothers are what percent less likely than married mothers to get adequate prenatal care?

A – 25% less likely

B – 50% less likely

C – 70% less likely

D – 17% less likely

What do we know?


Which of the following has the greatest impact on whether a pregnant women gets adequate and early prenatal care?

A – education

B – support of her mother

C – support of her partner

D - income

What do we know?


What do we know?

What percentage of teen males believe male responsibilities include: talking about contraception, using contraception, and taking responsibility for a child they fathered?

A – 25%

B – 50%

C – 90%

D – 10%


Infant mortality rates are how much higher for children without a father’s name on their birth certificate than those with dad’s name?

A – no difference

B – 1.6X

C – 2X

D – 2.3 X

What do we know?


Children are significantly less likely to be obese when _____ use nutrition labels to determine ingredients, nutrient amounts, and serving sizes.

A – mothers

B – fathers

C – grandmothers

D – any of the above

What do we know?


What do we know?

What percentage of children living in TANF households, are residing with a single parent?

A 20%B 50%C 30%D 70%


Stauffer’s Let’s Fix Dinner Campaign

Letsfixdinner.comhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjbKbM8u7Xo

Who Knew?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjbKbM8u7Xo


Non Resident Father Focus Group

Results: Focus groups underscored the importance

of involving fathers from the beginning (i.e., at birth)

The largest obstacles to father involvement are meaningful engagement of fathers and lack of systemic collaboration

Mothers are “gatekeepers” – Maternal resistance due to conflict with father

Fathers fear the child welfare system

QIC Study of Non-Resident Fathers & the CWS at

http://www.americanhumane.org/children/programs/fatherhood-initiative/qic-fatherhood-toolkit/


Okay, so back to Awareness…

Point of engagement The message and the messenger What are your attitudes/biases?


What Can PRC’s Do to Engage Fathers?

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Mission Statement Reception Room- Décor Scripts Forms Staff- male? Services Partnerships



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Look at your Mission Statement ---is a Christ-centered ministry committed to upholding the Sanctity of Human Life by providing

hope and help through Biblical counseling, education and assistance in the areas of crisis pregnancy, post-abortion trauma and sexual purity.

Mission Statement: To help women and men explore their options and empower them to make informed choices.

Vision: To educate, encourage, and equip people to understand the sacredness of human life, the soundness of sexual purity, and the value of the family.

To help women and men explore their options and empower them to make informed choices. Bringing Hope, Help, and Healing to Women in Crisis Pregnancies. We exist to empower women and men to make life-affirming decisions regarding pregnancy, as

well as the value of abstinence before marriage through counseling, education, compassionate care, material aid and through the gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Promoting Life and sharing Christ and His love by educating, equipping and providing services to meet the needs of pregnant, parenting and post-abortive individuals and families.

The mission of Pregnancy Center & Clinic of ___is to enable women in __ & ___Counties to make responsible choices regarding reproductive health issues, accomplished by providing educational, emotional, financial and/or material support; options regarding adoption; and continuing support after the birth of the child.



Reception Area: Is the reception area father

friendly?

Magazines for men?

Do you have materials for men/dads?

Do you have forms for dads to fill out?

Do you have a male staff for him to speak with?

2012

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Scripts Many scripts include an invite to bring “someone”

Make a specific invite to bring the father Ask about the father situation- at least! Teach staff to ask the questions- more questions If no male staff or volunteer- make sure the female staff

has a heart for the father



Generate interest Events focused on father involvement Conduct a focus group of fathers Conduct a focus group of mothers Determine/Acknowledge the barriers

Are fathers considered as perpetrators? Or in need of direction, support and skills?

Tie everything back to the Values- Are they promoting single motherhood or Are they promoting Life … or Abundant Life?


Resources for pre-fathers and new fathers:


Resource

Offers for

PRC’s

Expires Nov 30th


Questions:

&


Ave Mulhern

National Fatherhood Initiative

Program Support Consultant

240-912-1265

[email protected]

Thank You for What You Do!

Pregnancy Resource Centers on the Frontlines of Fatherhood

Business

Transcript of Pregnancy Resource Centers on the Frontlines of Fatherhood