Part of the 21st Century Agenda: Transformative Research and Practice in Community Collaboration webinar series

Thursday, September 26
12- 1:30 PM CT

Engaging Fathers and Co-Parents Together in Home Visiting and Fatherhood Services

Engaging fathers and co-parents together in services has the potential to reduce parenting demands and stresses for fathers and mothers and better align parenting practices to the benefit of children. Despite the potential benefits, evidence-supported child and family services like home visiting do not often include fathers and fatherhood programs likewise do not often include co-parents. In this webinar we will describe two interventions and related research findings that seek to serve fathers and co-parents together. These include Dads Matter-HV, a modular enhancement to designed to engage fathers in home visiting services and the Nurturing Dads and Partners (NDAP), an integrated model combining the Nurturing Fathers peer support program with co-parenting sessions drawn from Dads Matter-HV. Attendees can expect to learn about some of the benefits and challenges of, as well as strategies for, engaging fathers and co-parents together in services. Outcomes of each intervention will also be discussed, as well as future work.

Featured Speakers:

• Jenn Bellamy, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professor, University of Denver
• Aaron Miller, Family Strengthening Director, Colorado Department of Human Services
• Jill Jordan, Program Manager, Colorado Department of Human Services
• Christopher Clark, Father Program Administrator, Colorado Department of Human Services

Fathering Through the Pain: Healing the Wounded

Fatherhood is a complex and fulfilling role, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. Fathers, particularly urban Black fathers, face unique stressors and traumas that can have a significant impact on their mental health status, and overall well-being. In addition, this focus may illuminate how family diversity among urban Black families when viewed through the lenses of family structure and community culture may mischaracterize family functioning. In this webinar series presentation, we will explore the effects of trauma and toxic stress in the lives of urban Black fathers and their capacity to successfully undertake parenting roles as well as promote their personal well-being. We examine the importance of understanding and addressing these issues as central to family support, development and well-being. Understanding the impact of trauma and toxic stress on urban Black fathers is crucial for addressing their unique mental health needs. By recognizing the challenges facing these men and implementing targeted support systems, we can help urban Black fathers navigate the effects of trauma and stress, thereby promoting their overall well-being and strengthening families and communities.

Featured Speakers:

• Dr. Waldo E. Johnson, Jr., Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, University of Chicago •
• Dr. Clinton Boyd, Jr., Executive Director, Fathers, Families, & Healthy Communities

Don’t miss the other sessions in this series!

• August 29: Research-Policy Collaborations to Support Innovative, Equitable, and Effective Child Care and Early Education Policies
  12- 1:30 PM, Dr. Julia R. Henly co-presenting with community partners
• September 11: Building A Community-Driven Pathway to Prosperity: Weaving the Wisdom and Resources of Community and Academic Partners to Foster Early Life Abundance
  12- 1:30 PM, Dr. Trina Williams Shanks co-presenting with community partner
• October 10: Developing the Workforce for a Reimagined Child Welfare System
  12- 1:30 PM Dr. Diane DePanfilis co-presenting with community partners
• October 23: Behind the Scenes in Home Visitation Research
  12- 1:30 PM Dr. Craig Winston LeCroy co-presenting with community partners
• November 7: Building the Capacity to Conduct Equitable Research
  12- 1:30 PM Dr. Jessica Elm co-presenting with community partners

This webinar series is hosted by the American Academy for Social Work & Social Welfare with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Casey Family Programs, Clark-Fox Policy Institute, and William T. Grant Foundation.