Involving Non-Resident Fathers In Children’s Learning

A Fathers Matter Report

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

September 2000

This document was prepared by the National Center for Fathering under contract ACF-99-01-91 to the
Office of Child Support Enforcement
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

This report does not necessarily reflect the position of the Department of Health and Human Services,
and no official endorsement by the Department should be inferred.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Donna E. Shalala
Secretary

Administration for Children and Families
Olivia A. Golden
Assistant Secretary

Office of Child Support Enforcement
David Gray Ross
Commissioner

The text of this report is in the public domain.
Feel free to photocopy or reprint this report.

This report is available on the HHS Fatherhood Initiative Web site at:
http://fatherhood.hhs.gov/involv-non-res00

Table of Contents

Foreword and Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1:  Why Fathers Matter

• Research Confirms the Importance of Father Involvement
  • Children do better when fathers are actively involved
  • Child support from fathers improves children’s educational achievement
  • Supportive fathers enhance the social development of children with special needs
  • Additional research would improve understanding of non-resident fathers

Chapter 2: The Role of Non-Resident Fathers

• Who are non-resident fathers?
  • Non-resident fathers fit many different profiles
  • The number of children with non-resident fathers is growing
• How can non-resident fathers stay involved with their children?
  • Paternity establishment offers opportunities to strengthen father-child bonds
  • Non-resident fathers rarely have joint physical custody but most have visitation agreements or parenting time
  • Shared parenting allows many non-resident fathers to remain active in children’s lives
  • Schools and programs help non-resident fathers share their children’s lives
• How do non-resident fathers encourage child development?
  • Fathers model behavior and social survival skills
  • Positive father-child relationships enhance children’s emotional development
• How is the definition of fatherhood expanding?
  • Many men are stepping into the role of “father”
  • Some men serve as father figures
  • But children still need and want fathers

Chapter 3: Strategies for Involving Non-Resident Fathers

• Create a father-friendly environment
  • Assess program readiness
  • Modify practices to include non-resident fathers
  • Prepare staff to work with fathers
• Reach out to non-resident fathers
  • Ask mothers for input and participation
  • Make father recruitment everyone’s job
  • Provide opportunities for father-to-father support
• Prepare fathers to help their children learn
  • Show non-resident fathers that they matter
  • Empower non-resident fathers to become involved
  • Strengthen fathering skills
  • Encourage school involvement
  • Promote reading and play
  • Raise fathers’ education and literacy skills
  • Improve fathers’ financial contributions
  • Find solutions to logistical barriers
  • Build the skills of young fathers
• Strengthen family networks
  • Promote cooperative parenting
  • Develop guidelines for working with families
  • Access community resources for responsible fatherhood

Chapter 4: Getting Started

• Resources on fathers and families

Resources on fathers and families

• Research Organizations
• Practice
• Policy and Advocacy
• Resources from the U.S. Department of Education
• Resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

References

To order copies of this report, write, fax, or call:

In addition, this report is available on a Fathers Matter CD-ROM with additional resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education, including A Call to Commitment: Fathers’ Involvement in Children’s Learning (also available at http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/fathers), video from the October 28, 1999, Fathers Matter! teleconference, a video discussion guide, overheads and talking points, and other tools and Internet resources. To order the CD-ROM or a printed copy of A Call to Commitment: Fathers’ Involvement in Children’s Learning, write, fax, or send an e-mail to:

You may also call toll-free: 1-877-433-7827 (1-877-4-ED-PUBS). If 877 service is not yet available in your area, call 1-800-872-5327 (1-800-USA-LEARN). Those who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a teletypewriter (TTY), should call 1-800-437-0833.

NOTICE:

This document contains examples, contact information, and Web sites for information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. This information is provided for the reader’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of this outside information. Further, the inclusion of information or addresses or Web sites for particular items does not reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed or products or services offered.

Where to?

Top of Page
Contents of Report

Home Pages:
HHS Fatherhood Initiative
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Last updated: 03/05/01