Transcript IMPACT OF ABSENTEE FATHERS - University of Nebraska

REFERRAL PROCESS
 Initial discussion with the mother by the
Family Support Worker
 Father is referred for services, contacted
within three days to explain services and
invited to the program following Tool Box
 Intake
INTAKE
 Demographics
 Relationship
 Parenting
 Health
 Education
 Employment
 Goals
 Criminal History
 Basic Needs
FATHER INVOLVEMENT
PLAN
 Developed within the first 45 days
 Small Steps Using the SMART system
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Time Oriented
 Reviewed every 6 months
THE TOOL BOX
(DISCUSSION GROUP)
 Held twice per week (north & south county)
 Meditation/Stress management tips
 Alternating Curriculums
– Dr. Dad = baby basics, home safety, sick child
– Life Skills = What is a man? What is a father?
relationships, health, prenatal and pediatric visits,
community, budgeting, family cycles, substance
abuse, anger management, other
– Community Activities = condoms and candy, reading
to children, father involvement, men’s health
awareness.
FIELD VISITS
Homes
 Street Corners
 Barber shops
 “The Tree”
School
 Work
 Courts
 Jail and Prisons
Materials Used: lawn chairs, TVs, videos and handouts.
RITES OF PASSAGE
WORKSHOP
 Two Day Camping Trip
 Mirror Exercise
 Meditation
 The Fire
 Open Discussion
 Speakers
 Pain
 Developing a Positive Peer group
GRADUATION
 Held after 18 months
 Families invited
 Food and fun
 Mayor & community leaders
 Gifts & Certificates
 Mentoring Invitation
LESSONS LEARNED
 Support from agency
 Included fathers on
leadership to include
fathers in programs
 Ongoing leadership &
front line training on
father involvement.
 Funding issues (MCH)
 Establishing a father
friendly atmosphere
forms and in
curriculums
 Fathers want to be
included
 Fathers’ needs can
vary from one
enrollment class to
another
How to Contact the
Father Services Program
Claude M. Dharamraj, MD, MPH, Assistant Director
Pinellas County Health Department
205 Dr. Martin Luther King Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Tel: (727) 824 – 6931
Fax: (727) 820-4275
E-mail: [email protected]
Reggie Randolph, Sr.
Father Services Program Coordinator
Tel: (727) 824-6900 ext. 11296
Fax: (727) 820-4284
E-mail: [email protected]
QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
YOU NOW
HOLD THE
KEY