While most attention and efforts are focused on mothers and babies, fathers are equally vital to developing healthy and self-sufficient young families. These resources can aid efforts to understand, engage, and serve young fathers in your community.
Trends and Research
The Rise of Single Fathers
This article from the Pew Research Center provides data and discusses the dramatic increase in the number of single father households from 1960-2011.
Growing Number of Dads Home with the Kids
Here the Pew Research Center provides an overview of the rise of fathers staying at home to care for children.
5 Ways Fathers Matter
In this blog post, Child Trends briefly summarizes what research has to say about the ways fathers make a difference in the lives of their children.
Modern Dads Rock, But a New Report Shows They Need More Support
Parents magazine describes research into the importance of men's involvement in children's lives.
Millennial Fathers Are Rejecting the "Bad Dad" Stereotype
In this 2018 World Economic Forum article, the author discusses the outdated ways film and television portray fathers -- and how that needs to change.
Preventing and Addressing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) when Engaging Dads
This Child Trends report presents information about the approaches that federal Responsible Fatherhood programs take to providing IPV-related services. It also discusses challenges and successes to providing these services, promising practices, and areas for growth.
Resources
Find a Parenting Program in Your Community
The New York State Parenting Education Partnership maintains a database of parenting education programs and other human services by county.
Supporting Young Fathers' Engagement with Their Children
This tip sheet from the Office of Adolescent Health outlines effective program elements and provides resources for engaging fathers.
Tip SheetResources for Serving Young Fathers
Developed by the Office of Adolescent Health, the resources in this toolkit provide a comprehensive approach for including young fathers in programming.
Co-Parenting: Resources and Best Practices for Service Providers
This resource begins with a description of the importance of co-parenting and its association with child well-being, and is followed by suggestions for how best to support young fathers and other caregivers in co-parenting programming services. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Communication & Co-Parenting Strategies for Working with Young Parents
Healthy Teen Network (HTN) can help you communicate more effectively with young parents, support co-parenting efforts, and engage fathers in programming. Whether you're looking for a training, introductory presentations, or more in-depth technical assistance, HTN can help you build your capacity to support and empower young parents.
Training and Technical Assistance Opportunities
National Fatherhood Initiative
The National Fatherhood Initiative is a capacity-building organization that works to increase the positive presence of fathers in the lives of children. The initiative provides information for state and community-based initiatives, research-based programs for working with incarcerated fathers, and resources for fathers in the military. An extensive list of free resources is included on the website.
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
This website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is dedicated to promoting responsible fatherhood and strong communities. This site links to articles, statistics, promising practices, an extensive toolkit for professionals, and state profiles, among many other valuable resources.
Step by Step: Engaging Fathers in Programs for Families
This guide from the Best Start Resource Centre describes the importance of involving fathers in family support programs, understanding diversity, and assessing your organization's father-friendliness, along with marketing strategies, signs of success, and key issues to keep in mind.
A Driver's Manual for New Dads
Developed by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), this resource guide provides information and tips for new fathers. The manual covers all stages of early fatherhood, including working with and understanding the child's mother, and what to do when the baby arrives.
Fatherhood E-Learning Module
This E-Learning Module from the Office of Adolescent Health provides an overview of key insights and data on the unique and irreplaceable role fathers play in the well-being of their children. This course will also help participants consider opportunities to involve fathers.
Establishing Paternity (NYS)
If a child's parents are not legally married at the time of birth, the law does not recognize the father as the child's legal father and does not give him any rights to or responsibilities for the child. You can take steps so the biological father is recognized as the legal father, which is what establishing paternity is all about.
Verywellfamily: Single Parenting
This collection of articles covers a range of topics for single parents, including establishing paternity, raising a daughter, and much more.