Working with Fathers: A Best Practices Checklist
- Ensure staff awareness of cultural sensitivity and empathy for clients
- Helps provide in depth understanding and experiential knowledge of the implications of immigration, acculturation, parenting
- Some cultural patterns can hinder fathers’ progress in developing a more involved relationship with their children
- Offer incentives for participation: gas cards, home safety kits, Wall-mart and Target gift cards
- Offer opportunities for class/group discussion
- It supports young fathers to open up, share and feel supported by their peers
- It drops the affective filter as soon as possible to allow fathers to give each other input
- It brings forth cultural, historical and even geographical family of origin competencies
- It reminds us not just to give information, but to be facilitators of discussion too
- This encourages use of guided discovery for the class/group objectives
- Have fathers hold each other accountable for attending classes
- Challenge stereotypes about fatherhood and masculinity
- Being a father isn't just about providing food, clothes and shelter, it's about building a bond and attachment with their child through love, emotional support, etc.
- Be flexible with clients--allow them to reschedule or make up class through a one-on-one session
- Ask fathers to identify clear goals about what they want to provide for their children
- Configure a plan for attaining those goals for their children
- Start by clarifying what support the father needs to provide in order for his children to reach those goals
- Reach out to fathers through follow up phone calls -- this helps foster feelings of support
- Build fathers’ confidence
- Let the fathers know they matter to their children more than they know
- They will learn, share their challenges with, and support other fathers
- Emphasize fathers’ strengths while supporting greater communication and interaction with their children
- Adopt nationally recognized best practice curriculums
- For example, 24/7 Dad or Parents As Teachers
- Strengths-based curriculums draw upon fathers’ own knowledge and experiences
- Ensure your curriculum is specifically designed for the communities you serve
- For example, address how fathers in military families face unique challenges (i.e. deployment, isolation from natural supports, frequent moves/transitions, etc.)
- Address fathers’ communication and anger management skills to help increase involvement
