2 Involving Moms in Involving Dads WELCOME TO

3 Overview of the Presentation Warm-up exercise Brief NFI introduction Defining “gateway and gatekeeper” Research on Head Start moms’ supporting dads Group Exercise Discussing the concept of “parental balance” Importance of assessing your father friendliness Strategies for getting moms’ involved in your organizations fatherhood involvement efforts Final comments

4 Fatherhood Exercise Take 3 pipe cleaners and make a design that represents your past and/or current relationship with your dad. Be prepared to share your story with the group

5 Who We Are Non-profit, non-partisan, non- sectarian organization Founded in 1994 to combat the most consequential social trend of our time: Widespread Fatherlessness in the Lives of Our Nation’s Children

6 NFI’s Mission: To improve the well-being of children by increasing the proportion of children growing up with involved, responsible, and committed fathers in their lives.

7 NFI’s 3-E Strategy Educate and inspire Equip and develop leaders Engage all sectors of society

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9 Working With The “3 Pillars” BusinessFaithGovernment

10 Gateway: an opening to a main entrance or exit way. Gatekeeper: a person who controls access. Merriam Webster’s Definitions

11 The following studies are noted to offer research that examine the way in which Head Start mother’s are instrumental in “encouraging” as well as “determining” dad’s level of involvement.

12 Research Publications Low-Income Fathers’ and Mothers’ Perceptions Of The Father Role: A Qualitative Study In Four Early Head Start Communities (Infant Mental Health Journal, Vol. 20(3), (1999) Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health) Father Involvement in Early Head Start Programs (Fathering, Vol. 3, No.1, Winter 2005, The Men’s Studies Press, LLC) Paternal Identity, Maternal Gatekeeping, and Father Involvement (Family Relations, 54 (July 2005), Blackwell Publishing. Printed in the USA. The National Council on Family Relations)

13 Research Both moms and dads in this research, talked about the importance of fatherly love. Mothers emphasized that fathers should do all the things that mothers do. However, they asserted that they “expected” fathers to provide physical care giving and financial support The indications were that fathers who perceived themselves as less than adequate providers tended to have reduced and/or negative interactions with their children Low-Income Fathers’ and Mothers’ Perceptions of The Father Role: A Qualitative Study in Four Early Head Start Communities, Vol. 20(3), (1999) Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health

14 Research-Cont’d Mothers’ parenting may reflect the functioning of the family more generally. Mothers who were more highly educated and responsive as parents themselves (even in low- education population) might be better at encouraging the fathers to get involved in program services. Father Involvement in Early Head Start Programs (Fathering, Vol. 3, No.1, Winter 2005, © 2005 by the Men’s Studies Press, LLC)

15 Research-Cont’d Overall, the implication is that the relationship between father’s perceived investment in their actual levels of paternal involvement are moderated by mothers beliefs about the role of the father. There is a strong implication that mothers perceptions of the paternal role are better predictors of father involvement than fathers’ own perceptions of the paternal role. Paternal Identity, Maternal Gatekeeping, and Father Involvement (Family Relations, 54 (July 2005), Blackwell Publishing.)

16 Call your attention to Team A and Team B Team A compose a list of characteristics of moms Team B compose a list of characteristics that generally describe dads. Large group discuss similarities and differences. Discussion on leveraging these characteristics. Group Exercise-Building Blocks

17 Strive For Parental Balance The word “parent” is perceived by men and society as “mom” Parental Balance is the assurance that any and all services, resources and/or programs are designed to be inclusive, engaging and relevant to all parties responsible for the welfare of children

18 Transform Your Organization Free on-line assessment for Schools. School. Explores key principles and strategies for becoming father-friendly Provides specific ideas to increase father-friendliness

19 Assessment Categories Leadership & organizational philosophy Program management/program policies and procedures

20 Assessment Categories (Cont.) Parent-involvement program/service content Recruitment and retention of fathers Program physical environment Professional development Resource network and community outreach

21 Transform Your Organization (Cont.) Prioritize top 3 assessment categories to begin work on Convert statements that were not true of your organization into an action plan Who? What? When?

22 Tool Box Strategies Build a strong father friendly organization Question dads’ involvement in initial meeting with moms Recruit and utilize male staff in your organization to market dads involvement to mom Recruit and utilize children to encourage dads’ and/or male role model involvement Use 3 tier approach (less intensive to more intensive)

23 Tool Box Strategies Take advantage of family conferences Be consistent in your approach to parental involvement Plan activities that will engage dads’ interest Utilize free media to promote dad activities Remember moms are your most valuable tools Use “Mom as Gateway” module

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25 Final Comments

26 Thank You! And Good Luck!