HHS’ Fatherhood Initiative

Around the Regions:
Region 6

Region 6 Home Page
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

HHS Region VI Fatherhood Contacts:

Tomasia Pinter
Administration for Children and Families
Department of Health and Human Services
1301 Young Street, ACF-3
Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 214-767-2972
Fax: 214-767-8890

Scott Harper, M.P.A.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Department of Health and Human Services
1301 Young Street
Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 214-767-6564
Fax: 214-767-0322

Evelyn Glass
Office of Family Planning
Department of Health and Human Services
1301 Young Street
Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 214-767-3088
Fax: 214-767-3425

Margarita Figueroa-Gonzalez, M.D.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Dallas Field Office
Department of Health and Human Services
1301 Young Street
Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 214-767-8068
Fax: 214-767-0404

Regional Activity

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Region VI promotes and supports Fatherhood projects and initiatives in Region VI with agencies within States, Tribal, and Local government in urban and rural jurisdictions with private and non-profit/faith-based/community organizations. This includes showcasing model programs and best practices, disseminating information and research on the benefits of fathering and male involvement, and facilitating collaboration and cooperation across various agencies that will strengthen the role of fathers for the well-being of children. The Region VI Office has worked to ensure the fatherhood component of the ACF Key Priorities is addressed: Healthy Marriage, Faith-Based/Community, Positive Youth Development, Next Phase of Welfare Reform, Enhancing the Literacy of Children, Rural Initiative, and Prevention.

The following section highlights some of the activities going on in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. For additional information, contact ACF Region VI Fatherhood Contact listed above or the specific project contact listed.

State Activity

Arkansas

Head Start.
Child Development, Inc. (CDI)
P.O. Box 2110
Russellville, AR 72811-2110
Phone: 479-968-6493

CDI believes fathers and positive male role models, such as stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, older brothers and other male family and/or community members are important to a child's healthy development emotionally, socially and educationally. Fathers are sought out and encouraged to participate in Head Start by serving on the local Parent Committee and Policy Council. CDI's Initiatives highlights some of the methods used to help men become responsible, committed, and involved fathers:

"Father's Day": one day set aside each week in which fathers or other male role models are encouraged to visit the center and read to their child and other children or do some type of activity with their child and other children in the center.
"Father Fest": a 3-day event in which teachers and volunteers encouraged fathers or other male role models to volunteer in the center for a day or a few hours. More than a third of the enrolled children are represented at this event by a father, grandfather or male role model in their family. Activities and games were played and each family made a project unique to its household situation.
"PACT" (Parents and Children Together): an effective tool that facilitates working fathers to assist their children at home. Last year, in CDI's Head Start program more than 1,500 PACT activities were documented with a 99.9 percent participation rate. Only 33 parents did not participate. More than 500 of the participants were fathers. PACT activities are planned to coincide with school readiness activities, allowing mothers and fathers to emphasize the skills their children will need for public school, thus giving the program two-fold results, greater parent -especially father -participation and school readiness for the children.
"21^st Century Parenting": classes at each Head Start center and home-based program to strengthen parental education and involvement and to promote healthy lifestyle decisions. The agency also offers other parenting classes including Dare To Be You and Raising a Thinking Child, which have seen a greater participation by fathers. Head Start centers and home-base programs have also begun making the environment more inviting for fathers by decorating with pictures of fathers and children and by asking them to lead training at parent meetings.

Head Start
Jefferson Comprehensive Care System, Inc.
P.O. Box 1285
Pine Bluff, AR 71613
Phone: 870-553-2380

Current Efforts in Father Involvement

A partnership agreement with their local organization, Boule', which is a national organization of professional males dedicated to increase the awareness of the importance of male involvement in the lives of their children. The partnership agreement makes provision for a mentoring program held initially once per month as part of the Parent Committee Meeting.
Special activities called "Dining with Fathers" where fathers have lunch with their children. This is a very successful activity enjoyed tremendously by fathers and has increased their participation in the classroom after the lunch is completed.

Activities Planned for 2005

Educating, equipping, and engaging Head Start staff, fathers, and families. This strategy begins with using the Father Friendly Check-up CD-ROM to assess their Head Start's father friendliness.
Creating a fatherhood resource center designed to bridge them into on-going groups and activities. The resource center will be a one-stop-shop for fathers that will include helpful brochures, CD-ROMS, posters, and information of activities and support within the community. The fatherhood resource center will provide the main recruitment vehicle to bring fathers into other Head Start groups and activities.
Delivering the 24/7 Dad A.M. and Doctor Dad programs. The 24/7 Dad A.M. program provides step-by-step innovative strategies to help dad develop the following fine characteristics of good fathering: self-awareness, caring for self, fathering, parenting, and relationships. Doctor Dad is a groundbreaking program designed to increase a father's parenting skills specifically in the area of health for infants and toddlers. This innovative approach provides home health and safety tips in which fathers learn strategies to improve childcare practices as well as form positive relationships. National Fatherhood Initiative staff will provide for a two-day intensive training on each of these programs to ensure effective implementation.

Louisiana

Support Enforcement Services (SES) — Access and Visitation
SES Fatherhood Contact: Robbie Endris, SES Executive Director
Phone: 225.342.4780 and E-mail: robbie.endris @ dhs.state.gov

Louisiana has two providers funded through the Access & Visitation (A&V) grant provided through ACF's Office of Child Support Enforcement. The A&V project is a demonstration project in its second year with the 14th Judicial District Court in Lake Charles, LA. This project gives non-custodial and custodial parents the skills and tools necessary to effectively co-parent their children, which in turn has proven to improve the parents' support of their children, both emotionally and financially. SES has contracted for a study of this project and to create a best practices document. The report and document will be utilized in educating other Louisiana Judicial Districts about this project. This document will be completed by June 30, 2005.

The second project, through Louisiana Family Council (LFC), is to positively impact children in the area of parental involvement, and to improve the quantity and quality of emotional, physical and financial participation of fathers in their children's lives. Services will include mediation referrals, co-parenting plans, visitation order assistance, legal service referrals and employment and educational referrals. LFC has partnered with several agencies providing these various services and access and visitation success resulting from the different services is monitored on a regular basis. This is the second contract year with LFC. The current service areas are Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Orleans, Caddo, Bossier, Ouachita, and St. Bernard parishes. Their coordinator reports that they had 139 active cases during 2003-04, and 186 thus far in FFY 2005.

Louisiana Family Council (LFC) — Mentoring Children of Prisoners
LFC Fatherhood Contact: Dan Tate

Dan and Gail Tate, President and Executive Director of the Louisiana Family Council, conducted a meeting with local ministers and the president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. The focus of the meeting was mentoring children of prisoners. Reverend Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr., provided information and training on the Amachi Program, a faith-based national mentoring model for children of incarcerated parents.

Head Start.
Caddo Parish Commission Head Start
4055 St. Vincent Ave.
Shreveport, LA 71133-3446
Phone: 318-868-6360

Caddo Head Start sponsors activities that involve Head Start families and the surrounding community to encourage male participation in the lives of children. Some of the activities involved the entire family while others were for fathers and children only. The overall goal of the "Father Initiative Project" is to assist and encourage custodial and non-custodial fathers to take share responsibilities with the other parent(s) (mother, step dad or others) in building strong and healthy families.

Father Initiative Council is made up of one male representative from each of the 13 Head Start centers and one from the partner the Arc of Caddo Bossier. The primary function of the "Father Initiative Council" is to meet with the coordinator to explore ideas and resources available to low-income families, and to plan the operations of the "Father Initiative Group". A conference is held in October specifically for fathers and includes training, activities and motivational speakers.
A Monthly Newsletter is provided to each family and covers subjects such as health, nutrition, education, safety, literacy, things of interest for young children in the community, and especially on successful parenting.
Monthly Training/Activity for Dads is provided at each Center with training on subjects of interest such as writing job resumes to participating in clean up efforts.
Hoops for Dads is a Christmas fundraiser that recognizes outstanding youth within the community. A $500.00 scholarship is given to honor a youth who was killed as an innocent bystander, when a gunfight erupted between two rival gangs. The Head Start fathers also play a game of basketball with a local group of radio and television celebrities.
Family Night Out, Fathers bring their entire family to a local Family Life Center for family activities, self-improvement, entertainment, and a meal.

New Mexico

Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED)
New Mexico Human Services Department
CSE Fatherhood Contact: Jacqueline M. Baca
Phone: 800-288-7207 - Toll Free in New Mexico
800-585-7631 - Toll Free Out-of-State

GRADS (Graduation, Reality and Duel-Role Skills) is a federally funded program at schools which enables teenage parents to complete their high school education while on-site day care is provided. In 1996, the CSED partnered with the 30 GRADS programs in the State, and continues to provide information and educational materials and to conduct presentations at each site.

In 1999, CSED and the Children Youth and Families Department, the New Mexico Head Start Program, and the Administration for Children and Families, Region VI, entered into a partnership to provide Head Start personnel and families information on voluntary establishment of paternity and child support services. Through direct presentations and distribution of informational materials, CSED reaches approximately 7,700 head start families statewide. This partnership is continuing.

In recent years, CSED has become more involved in promoting responsible fatherhood and addressing fatherhood concerns. Through fatherhood support groups, CSED provides information regarding a father's rights and responsibilities and services available. CSED works with fathers groups such as the NM Young Fathers Project, GRADS & DADS, La Vida Institute Circulo de Hombres, Ayudantes, Adolescent Family Life Program, as well as Head Start programs, and the Department of Corrections.

The CSED Voluntary Paternity Unit continues to render presentations to various groups, i.e., faith based organizations, county health offices, WIC, Native American tribal census offices, family service organizations, male involvement groups, and correctional facilities.

New Mexico Young Fathers Project (YFP)
Carl W. Dellinger, Project Director
PO Box 35997
Albuquerque NM 87176-5997
Telephone: (505) 266-6334
Telephone Toll Free: 1-800-265-1403

The New Mexico YFP is a non-profit collaborative committed to providing support to young fathers. This is done through helping them to improve their parenting skills, increase their educational levels, and expand employment capabilities. The project was created in recognition of the need for outreach to young fathers in New Mexico. The YFP also realizes the importance of acknowledging young fathers for taking on the responsibilities of providing a better life for themselves and their children. YFP sites are located in Albuquerque, Las Cruces/Anthony Areas, Santa Fe, and Taos. Funders include the US DHHS/Office of Population Affairs/Office of Family Planning, New Mexico State Departments of Health, Income Security, and Children, Youth & Families, foundations and community based organizations and agencies. For more information contact:

Head Start.
YDI Head Start/Early Head Start
6301 Central NW
Albuquerque, NM 87105
Phone: 505-831-6038

The YDI Fatherhood Initiative Program convenes fathers on a regular basis for presentations and discussions on relevant fatherhood issues, which stress the importance of the father in the life and development of children. The YDI Early/Head Start Male Valued Partnership (MVP) Program is designed to teach parenting skills to all males who help raise children. There is a special emphasis on attracting male participants and involving them in the learning process.

The skills learned at MVP strengthen the family and the home environment. The program focuses on teaching leadership, teamwork, parenting and role model skills. It provides opportunities to learn about many parenting challenges, such as the complications of being a single parent, positive discipline, communication, child-rearing and the roles and responsibilities of all fathers whether they live in the family home or not. The fatherhood initiative explores the numerous challenges fathers face in blended families as well as maintaining relationships with their children while separated or divorced. Men learn skills which make it easier for them to interact with their children in a nurturing manner and feel comfortable taking a greater responsibility in child rearing.

Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS) Head Start/Early Head Start
1422 Paseo do Peralta
Building 3
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: 505-982-5565

Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS) Head Start/Early Head Start is committed to involving fathers in a child's life. The program has made an effort in each of the four counties where they provide Head Start/Early Head Start services not only to engage the fathers but also other significant males in the child's life. The belief is that male involvement must not be restricted to the traditional idea that only a child's father can make an impact on their life. PMS has involved the Policy Council in the Fatherhood Initiative and about 30% of the policy council membership comes from fathers in the program. The last three years the Policy Council has been chaired by a father. Fathers, grandfathers, uncles, older male siblings and even neighbors in some cases have participated in some of the male involvement activities:

Santa Fe County has sponsored activities for fathers including bowling events and art projects which included making hand-painted t-shirts for fathers and their children.
The San Juan County Head Start/Early Head Start parent committees organized a Significant Adult Male (SAM) Program to involve fathers, grandfathers and uncles in various activities and local demonstrations with local agencies: the Sheriffs Department – Seat Belt Safety Training; the Farmington Fire Department – Fire Truck Exhibit; the Farmington Police Department – Stranger Danger Training; and the local utility company – Kite Safety presentation; Spring Clean-Up Day, where fathers, grandfathers and other significant males come together to work on the playgrounds.
Last year Sandoval County focused on literacy with fathers, encouraging fathers to come to the classrooms and read to their child or a group of children, and travel with their children on several field trips to the local libraries to sign up for library cards and engage in reading activities.
Interactive hands on art activities for fathers and their children were conducted bi-monthly in Torrance County. Events included: fathers and children learning about healthy foods while making pizzas; creativity through finger painting, making play dough together and other messy activities; and fathers and children making fishing poles together and then taking a fishing trip to the local pond on Estancia, NM. The fishing activity was followed up with a barbeque at the Estancia Head Start Center for participants.

Oklahoma

Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED)
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Child Support Division Director: Gary Dart
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
(405) 522-2273

Fatherhood Partnership. The partnership between the CSED and the Maternal and Child Health Service, State Health Department has continued to promote public awareness on Fatherhood issues and to educate teens on parental responsibility (Dads Make a Difference Program). Numerous pairs of teen peer educators and adult advisors have been certified. Millwood School District has provided the program to 150 middle school students. Two other school districts taught the Dads Make a Difference Program during the 2002-2003 school years. Dads Make a Difference is endorsed by the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement.

The Child Support Enforcement Division has partnered with Oklahoma Head Start centers, day care centers, hospitals, libraries, primary schools and other organizations to promote the benefits of establishing paternity, the importance of fathers in the lives of their children, and providing presentations and child support resource information.

Oklahoma Fatherhood and Marriage Initiatives Compliment Each Other. The Oklahoma State Head Start Collaboration Officer recently provided information on how the state's local programs are busy undertaking fatherhood activities and complementing the Marriage Initiative effort. Activities range from having a day for dads to come to school with the children for a portion of the day to providing training in fatherhood issues as part of parent training. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies has offered training sessions on fatherhood, one of which included a two-part training session offered on the Marriage Initiative. All of these training opportunities for Head Start are being offered as a result of requests from the Oklahoma Head Start Association and the CAA Executive Directors.

Additionally, a number of Head Start and CAA staff have been trained by the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative as "train the trainers". In turn, the Oklahoma Head Start Association now has a representative on the committee that coordinates state activities of the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative, which includes the state-level fatherhood initiative activities.

In July 2003, the first-ever Oklahoma Fatherhood Summit took place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma sponsored by COPE, Inc., the National Fatherhood Initiative and the Department of Human Services. Approximately 150 individuals attended. Leon R. McCowan, Regional Administrator, Administration for Children and Families, rendered the luncheon address focusing on the Federal Fatherhood Initiative, the importance of children and families, and the importance of marriage. The ACF Region VI office showcased a colorful display focusing on fathers and children. The Summit will continue in the summer of 2005.

Head Start.
Delta Community Action Head Start
2800 NW 36th, Suite 221
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Phone: 405-949-1495

Delta Head Start believes very strongly in the positive influences of male role models in the growth and development of preschool students. They are striving to increase positive male role model participation in their Head Start program by providing opportunities for fathers/significant males to interact with their children. In the two years preceding the current program year, the number of children whose father/significant-male-role-model participated in specific fatherhood activities increased 156%. During this same time, the number of fathers serving in leadership roles on parent committees and Policy Council also increased by 36%.

Future Planned Fatherhood Activities include:

A father/male involvement advisory board comprised of current fathers and male community representatives to confer on activities, suggested changes, and outcomes for the fatherhood program.
Addition of a father advocate/mentor system for fatherhood services delivery (Fathers from the program will be utilized to lead father/child activities, not only in their centers but also in areas where there are no positive male role models available in the homes).
Partnering with local churches and community leaders to identify positive male role models to implement the "Nurturing Fatherhood" curriculum that is currently in place.
Extending services for fathers who due to scheduling/location are unable to participate in the center-based program by purchasing a program entitled "Coach Dads" (This curriculum includes developmentally appropriate father/child activities and a journal to document their findings/suggestions).

Head Start
Little Dixie Community Action Agency Head Start
502 West Duke
Hugo, OK 74743
Phone: 508-326-2305

The fatherhood initiative program for the Little Dixie Community Action Agency Head Start goes by the title, M. I. A. (Men In Action) Fatherhood Initiative Program. The overall objective of the Little Dixie Head Start M.I.A. Fatherhood Initiative Program to help fathers who are "Missing In Action" become "Men In Action." Goals of the M.I.A. Fatherhood Initiative Program are: Create an awareness pertaining to the need for involved father figures; Increase father figure participation in the Head Start centers; Increase father figure involvement in the lives of their children; and Improve the needs and situations in the lives of their fathers. M.I.A. involves individual members of the communities and organizations on a local, state, and federal level, and includes collaborations with various local, religious and community organizations.

The M. I. A. Program Tools for Father Involvement

A recurring monthly reading program titled "Men In Action- Ready to Read" to encourage father figures to donate some of their time one day per month to read to the children in a Head Start center.
A "Dad's Day" held one time per month for every month during the school year to host a male/child specific activity in every Head Start center.
The M. I. A. "Meat and Greet" held one time for each center to introduce father figures to the M. I. A. Program and M. I. A. Program Coordinator.
A monthly fatherhood newsletter will be distributed among the parents involved with the Head Start program.
Male volunteers will be recruited from the community to be active in the Head Start classrooms to create a more father friendly environment in the Head Start centers and encourage additional male involvement.

Texas

Child Support Enforcement Division
Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG)
CSE Fatherhood Contact: Michael Hayes
Phone: 512-460-6218
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Texas 78701

Section 1115 Demonstration Grant — "Building Strong and Healthy Families in Texas"
The Texas OAG/CSD was approved for a Healthy Marriage Waiver Project under the Section 1115 waiver authority of the Social Security Act on March 14, 2005. The OAG’s new Office of Family and Legal Policy, which is under the direction of Jim Underwood formerly of the Governor’s Office, is working with other State agencies to implement the “Building Strong and Healthy Families in Texas” program. The project is currently being implemented and will involve several stakeholders including private sector organizations and community based organizations. The project is to operate in Houston/Harris County and in San Angelo/Tom Green County. The project is approved for $998,184 in Federal funding with additional funding to come from the private sector. The project is funded for a two year period.
Section 1115 Demonstration Grant — Incarcerated NCPs Project
In September 2002, the CSD received a Section 1115 grant award entitled the "Family Reintegration Project: Increasing Collections for Paroled and Released Non Custodial Parents in Texas." The grant is testing strategies for increasing the number of cases in which paroled and released NCPs regularly pay child support. In addition to promoting employment and the regular payment of child support, the demonstration project is testing ways of achieving family reintegration and parent child contact. The project is operating in Houston and El Paso. The project will be evaluated by the Center for Policy Research, a nonprofit research firm.
Section 1115 Demonstration Grant — Tarrant County Employment Partnership
In September 2003, the CSD received a Section 1115 grant entitled "Employment Partnership Project: Workforce Partnership for Unemployed NCPs". The project goal is to design and implement strategies to improve the process of referring and serving low income fathers who are unemployed and under-employed and cannot meet their child support obligation. The Tarrant County Workforce Development Board will direct the 17 month project through a contract with the OAG/CSD.
Section 1115 Demonstration Grant — No Kidding — Straight Talk from Teen Parents
In September 2003, the CSD received a Section 1115 grant entitled "No Kidding - Increasing Paternity Awareness and Establishment with Teens and Young Parents". This project links together the OAG/CSD P.A.P.A. — "Parenting and Paternity Awareness" — program with the Peer Assistance Network of America to test a new approach to educating teens and young parents about paternity and child support issues. PAPA is a curriculum developed by the CSD and made available to all secondary schools in Texas. The curriculum offers information to young people on the rights and responsibilities of parenting. The curriculum is targeted to grades 6 through 12. CSD provides in-service training to teachers and other community-based organizations.
Texas Male Involvement - Fatherhood Coalition. The CSD is working with a group of public and private agencies on the Texas Male Involvement Coalition to sponsor and conduct a series of regional training events for professionals working with men and fathers. These events include information on child support and paternity establishment as well as information on program design, development and evaluation. Coalition members include: The National Fatherhood Initiative-SW Region, Texas Fragile Families Initiative, Texas Department of Health, Head Start, the Texas Youth Commission, and others.
Non-Custodial Parent Referral Project. The OAG/CSD and the Texas Workforce Commission have developed collaboration with the local workforce development boards and the Courts to identify, refer, and provide services to non-custodial parents who need employment services. This project, originally piloted in Bexar and Harris Counties (Houston Works), is now being conducted statewide. In addition to IV-D judges referring parents through the courts, the OAG is providing TWC with a monthly data tape of potentially eligible non-custodial parents.

National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI)
Southwest Region Office
11940 Jollyville Road, Suite 125-S
Austin, TX 78759
Phone: (512) 453-5056
Fax: (512) 453-5063

The Southwest Region of the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) seeks to improve the health and well-being of children by reducing father absence and promoting responsible fatherhood. The NFI defines father absence as a lack of physical, emotional, or spiritual connection between fathers and their children. The primary message of the NFI is that fathers play a unique and irreplaceable role in children's development. NFI conducts the following activities: 1) coordinates a multi-media, public awareness and education campaign on the consequences of father absence and the need to promote responsible fatherhood; 2) organizes Community Fatherhood Forums across the region; and 3) operates the Texas Fatherhood Resource Center (TFRC), which provides individuals and community-based organizations with fatherhood-related resource materials.

This spiritually-based organization helps fathers understand and develop their role. They specialize in community events such as fatherhood seminars, essay contests and father-to-father small groups designed to encourage and support men in their role as dads.

Central Texas Fatherhood Initiative (CTFI)
Steven Durand, Executive Director
PO Box 23385
Waco, TX 76702
(254) 495-2002
info @ centraltexasfatherhood.org
www.centraltexasfatherhood.org

The Central Texas Fatherhood Initiative (CTFI) is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to motivating, supporting, and training fathers to take a more active role in their children’s lives. Through collaborative relationships with various sectors of the community, CTFI focuses upon five key areas: (1) educating the general public about the importance of positive father involvement in the lives of children; (2) increasing the knowledge levels of fathers regarding the negative outcomes of father absence and the positive benefits of father involvement; (3) mentoring and supporting at-risk adolescent males before they become fathers; (4) increasing the knowledge levels of fathers regarding the skill sets necessary for the development of healthy marriages; and (5) providing support for noncustodial fathers in order to help them remain emotionally connected to their children. While headquartered in Waco, Texas, CTFI provides services to organizations and families throughout Central Texas.

Center for Successful Fathering, Inc.
Eric Whitfield, Interim Executive Director
13740 Research Boulevard, Suite L-2
Austin, TX 78750
(512) 335.8106
800.537.0853
eric @ fathering.org
www.fathering.org

Founded on the belief that children need the balance of a mom and a dad. Its mission is to educate and equip both men and women for the essential role fathers play in raising their children.

Strong Fathers-Strong Families
J. Michael Hall, M.Ed.
Executive Director
P.O. Box 136188
Fort Worth, Texas 76136
(817) 301-4086
mikehall @ strongfathers.com
www.strongfathers.com

Strong Fathers-Strong Families is a training, technical assistance, and facilitation organization that is focused on strengthening children by strengthening fathers and families. Through staff training, consultation, and event facilitation, Strong Fathers-Strong Families works with Head Starts, Public Schools, and Churches as well as other organizations. Our goal is to improve the educational environment in order that men may become more involved in the lives of their children. Strong Fathers-Strong Families plans and facilitates events at the campus, organizational, and community level to bring men together with their children in the presence of other men to discover their true strength as fathers. Strong Fathers-Strong Families facilitates events such as Bring Your Dad to Head Start Days, Bring Your Dad to School Day, Saturday Workshops for schools, churches, and communities, Dad & Kid Reading Night/Day, Head Start Father Forums, Head Start Dad and Kid Reading Days, staff awareness trainings, and Father Involvement Staff Training.

Tarrant County Fatherhood Coalition
(a.k.a. Tarrant County Fatherhood Initiative)
Charles Scoma, Chair
Phone: 817.808.3933
Post Office Box 820010
Fort Worth, TX 76182

Mission Statement: A collaboration to strengthen the role of fathers, men and families in the lives of children in Tarrant County.

The Tarrant County Fatherhood Coalition holds meetings and special events focusing on young dads and all fathers. In the past year, their meetings have included training on the PAPA curriculum developed by the Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Division, and Male Involvement/Male Health issues, job training and job referrals. Annually, they hold a community-wide, collaborative effort to raise awareness about the importance of father's involvement in the lives of children. The event, "Celebrate Fatherhood," is held in June to celebrate responsible fatherhood in Tarrant County. Several committees work together for this event to take place.

Head Start
Region 19 Educational Services Center Head Start/Early Head Start
6611 Boeing Drive
El Paso, TX 79925
(915) 780-1919

Region 19 Educational Services Center administers Head Start and Early Head Start in 35 urban and rural communities along the portion of the Rio Grande that separates Texas from Chihuahua, Mexico. There are approximately 211,000 households in the counties served, and Spanish is spoken in 73% of them. More than 95% of the families participating are Hispanic or Latino, and more than half use Spanish as their primary language. Most employees-65%-are the parents of formerly enrolled children.

At four sites, staff develop activities for fathers and reach out to them in settings that are comfortable to them. Support groups cover manhood, values, communication, nutrition, self-exploration, and cultural forces affecting men's behavior and roles. The group format promotes sharing information and feelings. Materials and instructions for home projects, including literacy activities, are distributed monthly to encourage men's connections with their families at home. A monthly fathers' night out allows dads to become comfortable interacting with their children without their mothers present. A Male of the Month award is given at each of the four sites.

The Fatherhood Initiative has had many positive effects. It has enabled the largely female staff to gain experience working as partners with fathers. Fathers have become regular volunteers in classrooms and accompany children on field trips. Fathers who have participated in the initiative are taking leadership roles in the community as well as in the children's programs. The younger generation of men in the community have more positive attitudes toward children and fatherhood, which has changed the focus of the initiative over time.

Head Start
Neighborhood Centers Inc. Early Head Start/Head Start
Houston, TX 77277-1389
Phone: (713) 667-9400

Neighborhood Centers Inc. Early Head Start/Head Start first initiated a formal 'Fatherhood' program in February of 2004. Small group trainings utilizing resources and materials from the NCPL 'Fatherhood Development Curriculum' were offered at selected Head Start sites for fathers and other interested males. The group members created an action plan to improve the program for the next school year. Of the nine suggestions or strategies stated in the original action plan, four have already been successfully implemented or are in the process of implementation. Among the ideas originally put forward by the group were: create a section of the monthly newsletter specifically to focus on dads and the fatherhood program; organize at least one group activity per month; and implement the 'Fathers Reading Every Day (FRED), program-wide.

Building on the ideas and energy created by this core group of parents and staff members representing diverse areas of the program, education, family-community partnerships and operations came together to form a 'Father/Significant Male Involvement Committee'. The group sought community input in its efforts to re-name and re-energize the program with the result being the S.M.I.L.E. program — Significant Males Impacting Lives Everyday.

The S.M.I.L.E. Mission Statement

"To provide education and training to fathers and other male role models in order to enhance the relationships with their children and families. The program will support fathers as educators and advocates for their children through positive parenting to encourage parent-child bonding."

The S.M.I.L.E. Vision Statement

"Create awareness that fathers and other male role models make a unique and invaluable contribution to the well being of children and their interaction with their children promotes healthy physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual development."

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Last updated August 1, 2005

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