Head Start Father Engagement Birth to Five Programming Guide [PDF, 2MB]

The Programming Guide is designed to help programs make father engagement live and breathe in every part of your program. It is aligned with the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework, and it offers many ideas for implementing father engagement strategies across systems and services as a part of your everyday work. Note: This resource is under review.

Also available in Spanish [PDF, 10MB].

Las Manos de Apá

This set of resources is designed to support Latino fathers as early literacy models for their children. The resources outline a practice model for working with Latino fathers by creating father-friendly environments, building community, sharing stories and supporting early literacy for young children.

Fathers for Life

These resources are designed to help teachers and service coordinators (i.e., family advocates or family service workers), and other professionals who work with infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children of incarcerated parents and their families.

Father Engagement is Everybody's Business

Learn about a new resource from the Office of Head Start, Head Start Father Engagement: A Birth to Five Programming Guide. Webinar presenters draw on the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework to identify systemic and integrated strategies for father engagement. They provide an overview of current research, discuss program planning, and identify professional development activities that will support program efforts.

Best Practices in Family and Community Engagement Video Series: Engaging Fathers Extended Learning Activity

Watch this video to learn about the strategies and practices one program uses to engage fathers and support positive child and family outcomes. Find examples of strong program leadership, a welcoming environment, and a commitment to family partnerships. With encouragement from the program, dedicated fathers learn from one another, make connections, and build a community that helps them fulfill their role as one of the most important people in their children's lives.

Father Engagement Message

Learn about the importance of building relationships with fathers and father figures in Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Fathers Are Important—For Real!

Fathers play a key role in the development of their children and creating a caring family life. Interested individuals, especially fathers, will benefit from this overview of the characteristics of fathers who are supportive and contribute positive influences to their families.

Father Figures Making a Difference – A blog post

David Jones, Office of Head Start Fatherhood Specialist and father of four, shares his insights and experiences as a father who is active in the lives of his children. He also highlights the many benefits of engaged father figures on young children's learning and development.