Fatherhood Initiative
Bringing back the dads
Today, too many of America’s children—both inside and outside the child welfare system—are growing up without a father in their lives. At least 65% of children placed into the child welfare system were not living with their birth fathers at the time of placement, and even after placement their fathers and paternal relatives are not involved in planning their cases.
These fathers and paternal relatives can be a great, untapped resource for children. That’s why American Humane Association’s Fatherhood Initiative is dedicated to supporting children in regaining important and lasting connections with their fathers and paternal relatives, and to help fathers understand and carry out their role as parents. Studies show that children who have a father-figure in their lives are more likely to do better in school and less likely to commit crimes as adults.
Quality Improvement Center
Through a competitive process, the quality improvement center has selected four project sites to fund for model intervention and evaluation of father engagement, and systemic collaboration to strengthen, through father engagement, families with children in the foster care system.
See the project sites »
Tips on what dads can do with their kids
With Babies »
With Toddlers »
With 4 to 6 Year-Olds »
With 7 to 12 Year-Olds »
With Teenagers »
The Source
The National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center presents The Source on Fostering Father Involvement, Spring 2009, Volume 19, #1.
Download the pdf to read articles by Sonia Velazquez and Stefanie Vincent.
