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Fathers' Support Center: Positive Parenting Skills for Fathers

Learn essential positive parenting skills for fathers at the Children's Trust Fund Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Conference. Presented by Halbert Sullivan, MSW, and Destini Goodwin, BSW/LSW.

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Fathers' Support Center: Positive Parenting Skills for Fathers

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  1. Fathers’ Support CenterPositive Parenting Skills for Fathers Presented at the Children’s Trust Fund Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Conference April 2-4, 2013 Presented by: Halbert Sullivan, MSW And Destini Goodwin, BSW/LSW

  2. Child Abuse In the U.S. • An estimated 3.3 million incidents of child abuse was reported to Child Protective Services during the federal fiscal year 2010. • 3 million children accounted for one or more of these reports. • More than 1,560 children died as a result of abuse and neglect. • “Nearly 80% of the children who died due to child abuse and neglect were younger than 4 years old”. Child Maltreatment 2010: Summary of Key Findings, May 2012

  3. Child Abuse In Missouri • 61,083 child abuse and neglect reports involving 90,709 children were reported in the state of Missouri in 2011. • In the state of Missouri, 29 reported children died as a result of child abuse/neglect in 2011. • Of those, 24 (86%) were under the age of four years old. MO Child Fatality Review Program 2011

  4. Who Commits Child Abuse? • Mothers • Fathers • Grandparents • Stepparents • Other Relatives • Caregivers • Foster Parents • Coaches • Educators…

  5. What causes a parent to abuse? Research indicates that certain factors/characteristics such as poverty, underemployment/unemployment, stress level, substance abuse, and low self-esteem attribute to fathers being more likely to abuse their children. The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children, 2006

  6. ASPE Research Study A study funded by the Department of Health and Human Services: • Studied 192,321 male perpetrators • Reported 65% of male perpetrators acted alone in their abuse. • 35% committed abuse with the child’s mother on at least one occasion • 51% were the children’s biological father

  7. ASPE Research Study The study also demonstrated that men who acted alone were NOT likely to receive services as males who acted with the victims mothers. This possibly occurs due to the father being removed before services are rendered or he was not living in the home.

  8. Societal Views/Roles of Fathers • In 1930s, 40s, 50s? • In 2000s/Currently?

  9. Importance of Fathers • Children without a father in their life are: - 32 times more likely to run away from home. - 5 times more likely to commit suicide. - 9 times more likely to drop out of high school. Children without a father in their lives are twice as likely to commit a crime. Children without a father in their lives are more than twice as likely to live in poverty.* *State of Missouri Website

  10. Importance of Fathers • 90% of all homeless and runaway children and 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders and displaced anger…. • 70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions and 85% of all youths sitting in prisons…. • 82% of teenage girls who get pregnant.... ….come from fatherless homes.

  11. Fathers’ Support Center Mission To foster healthy relationships by strengthening families and communities. Vision Every father is a responsible father committed to a cohesive family relationship.

  12. Background • Founded in 1997 to strengthen fathers as a strategy to strengthen families and improve outcomes for children. • Served over 9,000 fathers and their families including over 22,500 children • The first agency in Missouri to provide a comprehensive array of services to men. • Utilizes program graduates-turned facilitators and professional staff to guide fathers through a process of positive change. • Recognized nationally for working with fathers.

  13. Programs Offered • Family Formation Program • Parenting, Fatherhood/Manhood Skills, Healthy Relationship Building • Employment Development • Job Readiness Skills and Retention/Placement • Fathers’ Rap • Support, Advocacy, Personal Responsibility • Legal Services • Advocacy, Legal Mediation • Youth Leadership and Development • Prevention Education, Financial Management

  14. Family Formation Program Outcomes 2012 • 448 fathers enrolled in the program • 301 graduated successfully from the program • 79% of fathers increased their knowledge of “what child abuse and neglect is” and what are positive disciplinary techniques and positive reinforcements. • No reports of reoccurring child abuse and neglect

  15. How do you get fathers involved in your parenting program??? • Agency Profile • Agency Staff Profile • Recruitment • Program Delivery- What do the fathers get out of the program? • Partners

  16. Your Agency Profile • Who are your consumers? • Who are your targeted consumers? • What are their barriers? • Is your agency “father friendly”? • What other services do you offer? • Do these services appeal to fathers? • What does your marketing materials say? • What is your reputation in the community?

  17. Getting fathers there!! • Identify who and what your customers need • Transportation issues? Homeless? Low Literacy? • Offer other services that speak to the needs of fathers • peer mentoring/support groups, employment programs, bonding activities with their children, etc. • Utilize community partners • Highlight services offered to fathers in your marketing materials or create a separate brochure/flyer that highlights those services • Strengthen your reputation • Offer services that you know you can provide • Make presentations in the community about your services, i.e. colleges, agencies, barber shops, etc… • Educate yourself on the populations you want to service. Men and women are different in how they receive services • Market your work/outcomes

  18. Agency Staff Profile • How are fathers viewed by staff? • What is your staff’s experience with working with fathers? • What has been your experience with fathers in your program? • Who consist of your staff? • Parenting Specialist • Social Workers • Job Developers • Family Therapists • Male Facilitators

  19. Working with men is a little different… • Some men lack awareness of existing programs • Men seek help differently than women • Gender stereotyped attitudes and values • Perceived sense of personal failure when help is sought • Negative attitudes displayed by service workers • Failure to acknowledge positive things that fathers are doing • FUNDING is limited

  20. Getting fathers there!! • Be Culturally Competent • Avoid stereotypes • Don’t belittle/demean men because they are asking for help • Receive training or educate yourselves on cultural competency/ learn about their culture • Don’t force your personal belief systems • Establish rapport • Share information about you that is relatable (don’t over share) i.e. “I have three children of my own.” • Create buy-in by having them to share their experiences and LISTENING (providing feedback) • Create a safe and secure space for sharing • Always be truthful and upfront about your abilities and program limitations • Turn negative comments/views into positives

  21. RECRUIT,RECRUIT, RECRUIT!!! • “Flyer to Hand” Recruitment (barber shops, bars/lounges, gyms, parks, corner stores, etc.) • Current and Past Clients • Word of Mouth • Family Members/Significant Others • Other Community Agencies • Family Court • Advertisement (flyers, brochures, newspapers, radio, tv, etc.) • Location

  22. Service Delivery/Curriculum • What is your program structure? • Are your curriculums evidence-based? Culturally Sensitive? Is there room for flexibility? • How does your staff engage fathers with curriculum content/activities?

  23. Getting fathers there!! • FSC Program Structure • 6 weeks, Monday-Friday, 7:45am-4:00pm • Evening program, Monday-Friday, 5pm-8:30pm • Class calendar with activities and times • Classroom structure • Established program rules/guidelines • Safe, secure, and confidential space for sharing • Facilitative group formatted discussion • 2 bonding activities with children and families • Dedicated staff members (Social Service Team [includes Family Therapist], Job Development Team, Legal Team) • Holistic Approach • Presentations from community partners/resources

  24. Getting fathers there!! • FSC Parenting Curriculums: • Responsible Fatherhood Curriculum • Parenting • Personal Responsibility • Communication, Manhood and Relationships • Job Readiness • Shaken Baby Syndrome Training • Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities: A Violence Prevention Parenting Training Program- Developed by Marilyn L. Steele, Ph.D. and Jerry Tello, MA • 1.) Modeling: rules, behaviors, and values • 2.) Process of Discipline and Consequences of Behaviors • 3.) Ignoring and Providing Praise for Specific Behaviors • 4.) Solution Building/Problem Solving Techniques

  25. Role Play Activity • Clear Instructions • Ignore/Praise

  26. Getting fathers there!! • FSC Staff • Past graduates turned classroom facilitators • Consists of experienced social workers, job developers, parenting specialist, family therapists, attorneys, practicum students supportive and administrative staff • EVERYONE is trained in facilitating the Responsible Fatherhood Curriculum • Has buy-in to the mission and vision • Provide interactive/relatable material to curriculum (i.e. role play, cartoons, group discussions) that engage fathers and encourages their buy-in to the process • Knows client population and barriers

  27. Community Partners • Establish ongoing relationships with agencies/organizations by • Getting their buy-in (talk stats, outcomes, etc.) • Collaborating on proposals/grants • Linking your clients to services they offer • Invite them to participate in your program process (provide presentations, employment opportunities, etc.)

  28. Questions or Comments??

  29. References Child Welfare Information Gateway. (May 2012), Child Maltreatment 2010: Summary of Key Findings. http://www.childwelfare.gov Missouri Department of Social Services. Child Abuse and Neglect Calendar Year 2011 Annual Report. June 2012 www.dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/can Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, U.S. Children’s Bureau Rosenberg, Jeffrey., Wilcox, W. Bradford. (2006). The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. Male Perpetrators of Child Maltreatment. July 2005.

  30. THANK YOU! Fathers’ Support Center, St. Louis 4411 N. Newstead Ave, 9LL St. Louis, MO 63115 314-333-4170 Halbert Sullivan, MSW hsullivan@fatherssupport.org Destini Goodwin, BSW dgoodwin@fatherssupport.org Website: www.fatherssupportcenter.org

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