Embracing Fatherhood Initiative Latoya Hill, Alison Nelson, & Natalie Rella

1. Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions 2011 Annual Summer Education and Training Forum Fort Lauderdale, Florida July 25-27, 2011 A Fresh look at fatherhoodPromoting Fatherhood Involvement in the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions Embracing Fatherhood Initiative Latoya Hill, Alison Nelson, & Natalie Rella

2. A FRESH LOOK AT FATHERHOOD

3. The Case for Paternal Involvement • 24 million children, 1 out of 3, grow up in homes in which their biological fathers do not live with them. • 1 in 4 white children live in father-absent homes. • In the African-American community, 2 out of 3 children live without biological fathers in the home. • One in three Hispanic children live in father-absent homes.

4. The Case for Paternal Involvement Infant Mortality and Birth Outcomes • Infants with absent fathers were more likely to be born with lower birth weights, to be preterm and small for gestational age. • Lack of perinatal paternal involvement increases infant mortality nearly four times for Black women compared to White women.

5. The Case for Paternal Involvement Poverty Incarceration • A child with a nonresident father is 54% more likely to be poorer than his or her father. • 39% of jail inmates lived in mother-only households Teen Pregnancy • Being raised by a single mother raises the risk of teen pregnancy, marrying with less than a high school degree, and forming a marriage where both partners have less than a high school degree.

6. The Case for Paternal Involvement Child Abuse Education • Fatherless children are twice as likely to drop out of school • Students living in father-absent homes are twice as likely to repeat a grade in school • Living in a single-parent home doubles the risk that a child will suffer physical, emotional, or educational neglect. Childhood Obesity • Obese children are more likely to live in father-absent homes than are non-obese children

7. What happens when fathers are involved??? …Hope Abounds

8. Benefits to Mom and the Pregnancy Mom Pregnancy • Positive mother-father relationship quality was associated with frequent father contact and adequate father parenting • Paternal involvement can promote positive pregnancy behaviors • decreased stress, increased prenatal care and a reduction in smoking behaviors Choi & Jackson, 2010; Alio et al, 2010

9. Benefits for the Child • Behavior Outcomes • Increased paternal involvement leads to increased positive behavioral outcomes for the child compared to children with absent fathers. • Children with two parent families had fewer behavior problems compared one-parent homes. • Children had better perceived confidence and social acceptance than children who did not identify a father figure • Non-resident father involvement could benefit their children’s behavioral development. Coley, 1998; Flouri &Buchanan, 2004; Jackson, Choi & Franke, 2009; Teachman et al, 1998; Choi & Jackson, 2010

10. Benefits for the Child • Academic success • Encouraging father engagement during pregnancy and child’s transition into kindergarten is instrumental in child’s future academic success • Father and father figure involvement is linked to improved cognitive development and academic success • Superior scores in reading and math compared one-parent homes Shannon et al, 2008; Coley, 1998; Dubowitz et al., 2001; Teachman et al., 1998

11. Benefits for the Child and Family Financial Stability • Families without fathers are five times more likely to be poor as married-couple families. • Financial instability has been found to negatively impact child well being • Increased involvement during pregnancy and early child’s life may improve chances of the father: • Having a relationship with the child’s mother • Stay employed or find employment • Having greater connectedness and appropriate financial obligation to the child Cancian & Reed, 2009; Shannon et al, 2009; Cabrera et al, 2008

12. A Personal Account • Michael Watkins • Responsible Fatherhood Initiative Grant Coordinator at Pinellas County Health Department

13. Engaging Fathers & Males • Interact with fathers in a style that demonstrates respect, empathy, and high expectations. • Make sure fathers feel invited. Express positive comments about men in both formal and informal settings • General attitude and message is given to fathers that their role as active parents is critical to their children’s development • Explain to him the importance of being an involved father

14. Engaging Fathers & Males • Offer physical activities & programs for father and child • Remember fathers are men, and that makes them visual; therefore use interactive games, workshops, or sports • Be patient, understanding, and encourage fathers • Don’t expect him to know everything. Demonstrate to him “how to” and encourage him for getting it right OR wrong.

15. Embracing Fatherhood Initiative: • We propose FAHSC Leadership: • Adopt father-friendly service as part of the organizational culture of the coalitions • Integrate paternal involvement training for FAHSC staff in all 30 coalitions statewide; particularly frontline staff

16. Acknowledgments • Dr. Deborah Austin • REACHUP Inc. • Dr. Judi Vitucci • Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, Inc. • Dr. Russell Kirby • University of South Florida, Tampa • Dr. James McHale • University of South Florida, St. Petersburg • Dr. Julie Baldwin • Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa • Dee Jeffers • Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center

17. Tabling Event • Please visit our information table • How “father-friendly” is your coalition? • Do a quick assessment to automatically be entered into a raffle • Win gift card prize package • Pick up a Brochure to share with colleagues and clients • Share your personal success stories • THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!