More than a decade has passed since the last such comprehensive review of the responsible fatherhood field and much has changed in the interim. The Center for Research on Fathers, Children and Family Well-Being, directed by Dr. Ronald Mincy at the Columbia University School of Social Work, is currently undertaking a survey to review and assess the current state of the field.
The purpose of the program survey is to better understand details about program operations, such as funding sources, types of services offered, target client populations, use of program evaluation tools, and connections to the broader fatherhood field. The survey also contains a brief supplemental questionnaire for programs working with teen fathers.
If your agency operates a fatherhood program, please consider helping advance the responsible fatherhood field by participating in this important study. All participants (one per program) can enter a raffle to win an iPad. The survey contains 45 multiple choice and short answer questions, plus a brief (6 question) supplemental questionnaire for programs working with teen fathers. We estimate it should take no longer than 20-30 minutes to complete.
Participate online e-mail The Center at crfcfwsurvey@gmail.com.
The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse Team
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Father’s Day event is back! Originally inspired by a New York City Housing Authority event, last year over 200 Public Housing Agencies (PHA) participated in the inaugural celebration for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Across the country, thousands of fathers, children, mothers and friends gathered for fun activities while learning about supportive services in their communities. You can watch this video that provides some of the highlights from last year and invites everyone to participate this upcoming Father’s Day.
This year, the Father’s Day celebration is back and we are bringing more “friends” to participate in the fun. HUD has reached out to other nonprofits, federal agencies and the private industry in order to provide PHAs with a variety of resources for their Father’s Day events. HUD already has commitments from the National Fatherhood Initiative, the National Football League Players Association, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America among others. As a result of these partners joining in this effort, Father’s Day offers PHAs the chance to improve the lives of residents through fostering stronger family connections while also giving PHAs the opportunity to form new partnerships with local organizations offering supportive services. To capture this expanded vision HUD is calling this initiative Reconnecting Families and Dads.
To make the most of these connections, HUD is filming “Reconnecting Conversations” with representatives from our partner organizations on how they can support local PHAs in their Father’s Day events. Our first segment was with Kevin McCartney of Boys and Girls Cubs; this conversation was exciting, informative and under fifteen minutes.
HUD looks forward to helping PHAS and families make many new connections through Father’s Day 2012. To learn more, visit www.hud.gov/fathersday2012 and check out the Webcast announcing the effort underway to support Reconnecting Families and Dads.
Please contact us with any question, comments or ideas at PIH_Fathers_Day_2012@HUD.gov.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Related Posts
- Celebrating Fatherhood in Public Housing Authorities
- What they’re saying about HUD’s Fathers Day 2011: Part 1
- What they’re saying about HUD’s Fathers Day 2011: Part 2
Ron Ashford is Director for Public Housing Supportive Services within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
As the tax filing deadline quickly approaches, many fathers and families are likely feeling some pressure. Tax season and the pressure of filing on time and correctly is stressful, but there are Federal programs out there to help. Programs working with fathers and families can connect with a wide range of resources, including connecting to tax credits and IRS-certified free tax preparation, to help ease the pressure.
The ASSET Initiative is a collaborative through which Administration for Children and Families (ACF) offices and partner States, localities, community-based providers are highlighting the importance of financial education and other asset building services for individuals and families.
The ASSET Initiative fact sheet on Tax Credits and Filing Assistance gives programs and organizations information and tips on connecting families to some of the tax assistance available to them. Many low-income families with children qualify for tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can help put up to thousands of dollars back in the hands of fathers and their families.
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify, generally offers free tax help to people who make $50,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals in local communities. Families and programs can find a VITA site near them by visiting the IRS website or calling 1-800-906-9887.
The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse Team
Inspired by President Obama’s Fatherhood & Mentoring Initiative, seven-time NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade hosted a Responsible Fatherhood Roundtable discussion and recognition ceremony with a group of individuals who exemplify the goals of the President’s initiative. While I was encouraged by Dwayne’s remarks, I was also impacted by the local individuals who joined us at this meeting that exemplify and promote responsible fatherhood.
Photo, Front Row from Left to Right: Sean Forehand (Manager, Orange County LINOS Program), Eugene Schneeberg (Director, DOJ Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships), Dwyane Wade, and Joshua DuBois (Special Advisor to the President and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships)
- Bryan Nelson, coordinator of the Boot Camp for New Dads program in Orlando, uses his passion everyday to teach new dads the importance of their participation and leadership.
- Anthony “Tony” Washington is a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, a dad, grandfather and a mentor.
- Anselmo Nieves, a compassionate dad dedicated to balancing work and spending time with all three of his sons including his youngest, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as an infant.
- Larry Darnell Robinson, a dad who was raised in foster care and group homes himself, is now the proud father of a beautiful four year-old daughter whose story demonstrates how people can overcome tremendous obstacles and still be a great fathers.
- Dexter Nelson, a hands-on single father of three children, serves as the Fatherhood Ambassador for the Pine Hills Head Start program.
- Jim Werner, founder of Circle Christian School, has a passion for families and challenges parents and students to understand that education must go beyond academic accomplishment, encouraging his students to develop skills that focus on relationships, character, and full engagement with life.
- Karen Wint, who has been a foster parent to roughly 40 children, works with her local Boy Scouts pack to engage more fathers in activities because she recognizes the value of positive male role models.
- Raheem Sharpe, a hard working teen father to his son, benefits from having a mentor who can help him navigate the challenges of being a young father.
- Sean Forehand, Sr., manages the Low Income Non-custodial parent Outreach Service (LINOS) for the Dept. of Child Support Enforcement, where he focuses on outreach and education assisting soon-to-be and recently released fathers to get the tools they need to successfully support their families financially and emotionally.
- Rev. Jose Elias Gonzalez & his wife Jackie have been specializing in Family and Youth Ministry for over 20 years. Pastor Gonzalez emphasizes the important role that men and fathers play in their communities. He is the founder of PROTÉGÉ INC. a non-profit organization focused on mentoring and equipping the next generation with life skills.
Through each of their stories, it was amazing to highlight positive examples of the impact being made to turn the tide on father absence in our local communities.
Eugene Schneeberg is the Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Justice.
Recently, I had a chance to sit down with seven time NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade, to talk about how he is, in his own words, a “father First.” Through the event, Dwyane had an opportunity to share why fatherhood is so important to him. His remarks were made to a room of individuals in Orlando who exemplify the principles outlined by President Obama in his Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative and highlighted in this event by Dwyane Wade: that fatherhood is and has to be a priority for everyone in our communities. From Bryan Nelson with the Boot Camp for New Dads program to Sean Forehand, Sr. from the local Child Support Office who has given over 400 in-person presentations to fathers throughout the Central Florida area, everyone who gathered were all stars for the work they are doing to strengthen fatherhood in Orlando. See more of these All Stars in the video below and hear directly from Dwyane how he makes fatherhood a priority.
Watch Dwyane Wade speak about being a “Father First.”
Joshua DuBois is Special Assistant to President Obama and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships
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En respuesta al llamado del presidente Obama para una conversación nacional sobre la paternidad responsable y las familias saludables, aprender cómo usted puede unirse a la Iniciativa Presidencial de Padres y Mentores.