Recent Studies reveal that over 24 million children in the United States living apart from their biological fathers are two to three times more likely to be poor, abuse drugs and alcohol, experience emotional, health, behavioral and education problems, and engage in criminal activity.
How are American communities and organizations responding?
In response, the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NFRC) has been partnering with communities and organizations across the nation through Fatherhood Buzz, an initiative to support barbershops in connecting dads with local resources to help build strong families.
In the South Bronx, the Osborne Association’s Fatherhood Initiative, a program that works with formerly incarcerated fathers and their children, has partnered with Fatherhood Buzz to give resources and tips for parenting to their participants.
What kinds of tips for parenting do they teach?
- Spend time with your child, use every moment with your child to create positive memories
- Keep your promises that you made to your child, this builds trust between you and your child
- Celebrate your child’s accomplishments, praising your child gives them confidence and encourages them to keep trying to pursue what is right
- Consistently tell your sons and daughters that you love them, remind them that you love them for who they are, not for what they have done
Osborne’s Fatherhood Initiative not only teaches these Fatherhood Buzz Tips in the classroom, but they provide fathers the opportunity to use these tips by attending special events with their children. Recently, Osborne’s Fatherhood Initiative organized and provided for their participants and their children to attend a Yankee’s game, visit the New York Aquarium, and explore the Bronx Zoo. These events provided an avenue for fathers to create special memories and build trust with their child(ren).
Interested in Fatherhood Buzz tips you could use at home with your child?
Creating special moments with your children helps strengthen your relationship, improve communication, and improve their self-esteem. Spending quality time together doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some ideas to get started!
- Tell your favorite childhood stories to your children
- Read aloud to your child
- Share old photos of yourself
- Prepare a family meal together
- Turn off the TV and play a board game together
- Do an outside activity with your children, like a nature walk, gardening, or bike riding
- Do an arts and crafts project, like creating a family album or draw pictures
For more information regarding your questions about parenting and fatherhood in the United States, check out our Tips for Parenting, or visit us at fatherhood.gov!
Fatherhood Buzz - Back to School Initiative: Effective Strategies for Increasing Father Involvement in Schools 
Thursday August 23, 2012 - 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM (EASTERN)
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) is providing a technical assistance webinar for all responsible fatherhood practitioners, including current OFA grantees, and other interested stakeholders. The webinar will provide ideas and resources to help increase father involvement in schools and their children’s education. Information will be provided on various initiatives that have helped engage fathers and father figures, inspire children, reduce bullying, and generally improve the educational environment in order that men may become more involved in the lives of their children.
Goals of Webinar: After this training webinar, participants will improve their knowledge and understanding of:
- The importance and impact of father involvement in schools.
- Strategies that fatherhood practitioners can use to engage with local schools and school districts in order to increase father involvement in schools and improve outcomes for children.
- Resources and tips for fathers to help them increase their involvement in schools and their children’s education.
Moderator: Dennis Bega, Acting National Director of Regional Operations, Office of Communications and Outreach, US Department of Education
Presenters:
- J. Michael Hall, President and Founder, Strong Fathers - Strong Families
- Betsy Landers, President, National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
- Philip Jackson, Founder and Executive Director, The Black Star Project
Facilitator: Patrick Patterson, Manager, National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
Visit our Webinar section for details on how to join the webinar!
It’s a great time to be a dad.
Being a dad is so important today because it’s an opportunity to empower the next generation of men and women to conquer whatever challenges may face them. It’s an opportunity to help shape their future.
When fathers aren’t a part of their lives, kids are more likely to get involved in harmful and destructive activities like drug use and crime. On the other hand, giving children the paternal support they need helps them grow into confident, capable and healthy men and women.
All children deserve solid father figures in their lives, but far too many don’t have them. President Obama, whose own father was absent for much of his childhood, understands that. That’s why he created the Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative to celebrate fatherhood and create meaningful opportunities for fathers and children – and adult mentors and young mentees – to connect.
Children aren’t the only ones who reap the benefits of these relationships; fatherhood is one of the most inspiring things in life. Watching my daughters grow into responsible, driven and happy women has been an indescribable joy.
It has also been great to share my passion for the environment with them. From their earliest days, we enjoyed the “great outdoors” whenever we had a chance – and we still do. But I also showed them the importance of protecting the natural resources that surround us by doing things like recycling and cutting back on energy use. These are things that are still a part of their lives today.
June is America’s Great Outdoors Month, and finding creative ways to enjoy the open, outdoor spaces and keep them healthy and vibrant can be a great opportunity to bond with your son, daughter or mentee – and improve your community at the same time. Check out the outdoor activities aimed at protecting the environment on EPA’s website for some ideas. We would love to hear about some of your outdoor dad experiences this summer, so please share your stories by emailing us at partnerships@epa.gov or tweeting, @EPAgov using #outdoordad.
However you choose to spend your time, I encourage you to continue making fatherhood or mentoring a priority in your life. Take the President’s Fatherhood Pledge, and do your part to help shape the next generation of happy, healthy Americans.
Bob Perciasepe is Deputy Administrator at the US Environmental Protection Agency
Repost from The White House Blog
President Obama celebrated Father’s Day a little early with four dads at Kenny’s Barbeque Smokehouse in Northeast Washington, DC. The four fathers, two active duty members of the military and two long-time local barbers from Mason’s Barbershop, talked about the rewards and challenges of fatherhood as well as the joy and anxiety fathers experience watching their children grow up.
President Barack Obama talks with four fathers participating in the the new HHS "Fatherhood Buzz" campaign, as they wait for their lunch at Kenny’s BBQ Smokehouse in Washington, D.C., June 13, 2012. Joining the President, from left, are: Nurney Mason; 1st Lieutenant William Edwards of the U.S. Army; Otis Gamble; and CPT Joubert Paulino of the U.S Army. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The President talked about his support for military families along with the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden through Joining Forces. The President also discussed “Fatherhood Buzz,” a new initiative in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designed to reach out to dads with positive information through their barbers and barber shops, as part of the Administration’s longstanding Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative. Each quarter will feature a different “buzz” topic – the topic for the first quarter is financial literacy and job training. The initiative is taking place across the country this weekend, including at Mason’s Barber Shop on H Street Northeast in Washington, DC. Nurney Mason, who joined the President for lunch today, has operated Mason’s Barber shop for over 51 years.
Meet the four dads who had lunch with President Obama yesterday to discuss fatherhood
1st Lieutenant William (Bill) Edwards of the U.S. Army is currently based at Fort Jackson in South Carolina where he lives with his wife of 13 years, Esther, and their four children. Lt. Edwards was recently honored by the National Fatherhood Initiative with the 2012 Military Fatherhood Award. He was deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division Band in 2007-2008 for 14 months in Iraq. While he was deployed, he sent a flag that had flown over Camp Victory headquarters in Iraq to his daughter's preschool as a reminder of how much he cared about his family.
Captain Joubert Paulino of the U.S. Army is currently based at Fort Meade in Maryland along with his wife of 16 years, Ginamarie, and their two children Jonah, age 6, and Julia, age 4. CPT Paulino uses his will for adventure to stay connected with his children. For example, he involves his children in the selection process of states or countries where they would like to start an adventure or experience of a lifetime. CPT. Paulino continuously travels for his specialized emergency response team, and serves his country through biological and nuclear defense; however, CPT Paulino remains very involved in his son Jonah's Tiger Scout troop.
Nurney Mason operated Mason’s Barber Shop on H Street Northeast in Washington, D.C. for over 51 years and is one of the longest-standing business owners in the city. Nurney also cuts hair at the U.S. House of Representatives when he’s not managing his shop on H Street. Nurney has been married for over 30 years and has 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He co-owns Mason’s Barber Shop with his son, Robbie. Mason’s Barber Shop is a participant in the “Fatherhood Buzz” campaign.
Otis “Big O” Gamble is still an active barber at Mason’s Barber Shop, a participant in the “Fatherhood Buzz” imitative through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Nurney Mason, the barbershop owner, hired Gamble 45 years ago, and they’ve been cutting hair together for decades. Mr. Gamble had a successful career in the U.S. Army and as a barber. He raised three wonderful children, including a son who is retired from the Army and a daughter who is currently a Major in the Army.
Later in the day, the White House Office of Public Engagement and Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships honored 10 individuals who are doing tremendous work in the field of fatherhood. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Attorney General Eric Holder delivered remarks at the event where they discussed the importance of fatherhood and healthy families to build stronger communities. The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s vision to recognize ordinary Americans who do extraordinary work to serve and strengthen communities around the country. Click here to see the full list of Fatherhood Champions of Change.
Joshua DuBois is Special Assistant to President Obama and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
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
Along with over 500 fathers and children, my children and I recently had the privilege of attending the All Pro Dad’s Baltimore All Pro Dad Father and Kids Experience at M&T Bank Stadium. At the event, Super Bowl Champion Matt Stover spoke very personally about the importance of being a father. My kids enjoyed plenty of fun games and getting their faces painted by clowns who made them balloon animals. I was profoundly touched by the activities centered on practical fatherhood tips and techniques. Through a variety of different football drills, games, and “fatherhood stations,” I was excited to be able to connect with my children in a new way.
Matt Stover, former Baltimore Raven Placekicker along with Eugene Schneeberg, Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Justice with his daughter Genesis and son Eugene .
One of the “fatherhood stations” focused on the importance of Dad’s telling their children that they love them and that they are proud of them. At another station we practiced handing the ball off to each other and scoring a touchdown. After the touchdown, we celebrated by doing a silly dance and giving each other big hugs like NFL players do when they score a touchdown. The facilitator at that station stressed the importance of having fun, being affectionate and hugging your children.
My favorite station was when we were asked to come up with a secret hand sign like those between a quarterback and coach that only my children and I would know. Then, we used that signal to tell each other “I love you.” My six year old son jumped right to it and came up with a great sign. My family and I continue to do our special secret hand signal to this day.
My fathering skills went to another level that day! All Pro Dad is one of many great Fatherhood organizations whose work is right in line with the President’s Fatherhood & Mentoring Initiative.
For more information about All Pro Dad visit: www.AllProDad.com
Eugene Schneeberg is the Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Justice.
In response to the call by President Obama to strengthen fathers and families, the NFL Players Association shared the initiative with players, encouraging them to showcase the role of fathers and mentors in their communities.
Ran Carthon, a pro scout with the Atlanta Falcons, responded to the call with an innovative idea: The Fatherhood Ticket Program. Because Carthon wanted to highlight positive role models for change in his community, he put out a call for stories written by children of fathers who are mentors and leaders. From the submissions, a winner was selected to receive tickets, sideline passes and parking passes to six Atlanta Falcons games.
To hear the story of the winner and watch a recap of the winners’ visit to the game, check out the video below
Carthon’s efforts could not be contained within the stadium. He also reached out to the principal of his daughter’s school, Harmony Elementary School, to launch an All-Pro Dads program. The principal welcomed him into the school as a way to get more fathers engaged in school activities and programming. When Carthon hosted a breakfast with food from a local restaurant, 75 dads showed up to talk about being involved in their families and communities.
Carthon’s story is just one of many around the country responding to the call from President Obama to strengthen the role of fathers in their families and communities. Share your story with us at info@fatherhood.gov.
One of the most frequent workshop question that I am asked is; “What does father involvement mean and what does that look like?” The goal of a father’s involvement is to nurture his child’s intellectual, emotional, physical, social and spiritual development. The key is to focus on his child’s strengths utilizing the natural assets of a father’s parenting style.
Teaching through Play - Teaching through play is what draws your children to you. Making learning fun is the hallmark of a father’s parenting style. Use games to teach them to learn their colors, numbers, shapes and the alphabet. Playing games by the rules teaches social emotional skills as well as nurturing intellectual and physical development.
Modeling & Coaching - We nurture our child’s intellectual and emotional development through modeling behavior or demonstrating how to do a task. Break tasks down into step by step processes. First model then coach them through the steps praising for each attempt and celebrating their accomplishment! Providing encouragement and praise is a vital part of your involvement.
Loving through Laughter - We teach our children to laugh at their mistakes by letting them see us laugh at our own mistakes. When children laugh WITH their father, it makes them feel good. The shared experience draws them closer to you and strengthens the relationship. Laughter is one of the ways to ignite or restore hope in your family. Being able to laugh with your family and laugh at yourself lets your children know that you are approachable. It makes them feel more comfortable to talk about their mistakes. Because they see you laughing at your silly mistakes, it makes you more transparent to your children. That enables your children to draw closer to you, because they understand that it’s ok to make mistakes in our house.
Intentional Involvement - Intentional father involvement takes time, patience and persistence, but ALL relationships require work if we want them to grow. It’s no different learning to improve your relationship with your child! With a little time and practice you will see that it is worth every effort!
Randell D. Turner, Ph.D. is Senior Associate & Child & Family Therapist with the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse. Throughout his two decades of dedication to the Fatherhood Movement, Dr. Turner has authored award winning Responsible Fatherhood resources, directed community based and re-entry fatherhood programming.
Last week, we launched the first in series of blog posts we are calling TableTalk. TableTalk posts include topics that fathers, caretakers and mentors can talk about with kids. Here are some tips for good communication:
- Talk and then talk some more
- Listen
- Be Patient
- Offer choices
Read more about these and other tips and use the questions below to get everybody talking!TableTalk#2
- When you grow up, what do you want to be?
- Who is your best friend? What is special about them that makes them your best friend?
- What is your favorite letter or number? When did you decided it was your favorite and why?
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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.