Upcoming webinar and state planning mini grants
News from FRPN
October Webinar — Fatherhood and COVID-19: A Conversation About Practice, Research and Policy

Tuesday, October 20, 2020
12-1:30 p.m. EDT

Presenters:

  • Armon Perry, 4 Your Child and University of Louisville, Kentucky
  • Cheri Tillis, Fathers and Families Support Center, St. Louis, Missouri
  • Richard Tolman, University of Michigan, School of Social Work
  • Amy Lindholm, State Court Administrative Office, Michigan
  • Laurie Friedman, Temple University, School of Social Work
  • Erin P. Frisch, Director, Michigan Office of Child Support

How is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting fatherhood programs? Hear about adaptations, experiences, outcomes, lessons learned and research needed to more effectively serve fathers during this time. Discussion topics will highlight:

  • New challenges being a father
  • New programming formats
  • Technology and staff training
  • Virtual fatherhood summits
  • Fatherhood policy
  • Research on virtual formats
  • Emerging research questions
  • Register for the webinar here.

New Fatherhood Curriculum Created by New York City Office of Child Support Services and Hunter College School of Social Work

In Spring 2020, Dr. Anna Hayward, Associate Professor at Stony Brook University’s School of Social Work, offered two sections of a new, advanced practice elective on fatherhood to 50 students using a free, 8-module curriculum developed by the New York City Office of Child Support Services and Hunter College School of Social Work.

Aimed at helping students learn about the challenges that social workers face when working with fathers, the course offers a historical overview of fatherhood, the socio-cultural context of fatherhood and masculinity, considerations for work with diverse fathers, engagement of men in various settings to enhance fathering, and child support policy in the context of work with men and fathers. Based on overwhelming student interest, the course will be offered regularly as part of the Family Youth and Transitions to Adulthood (FYT) specialization in the MSW program.

In the words of one student, "This course has opened my eyes entirely to the subject of fathers and families as well as washing away biases that mothers are the "primary parent". This course has shown the significance of fathers being involved in their children's lives as well as father support. It forever changed my view of fathers and helped me recognize my own personal biases. I truly believe that all social work programs should utilize this course as a program requirement."

Learn more about this curriculum.

MDRC Seeks Fatherhood Programs to Participate in SIRF Project

MDRC will select up to 10 responsible fatherhood programs to participate in The Strengthening the Implementation of Responsible Fatherhood Programs (SIRF) project, which is studying ways to help programs overcome common implementation challenges and test possible, real-world solutions. Practitioners in selected programs will collaborate with researchers to identify challenges, devise solutions, implement them, examine their effect on participants, adjust the solution based on research feedback, and repeat the process again or multiple times. Funded by the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Family Assistance, selected programs will receive payment for the costs associated with their participation in the project. Programs interested in being considered for participation should submit a nomination form by October 9.

Nominate a responsible fatherhood program to participate at this link.

Contact Us to Learn More

FRPN Co-Director Jay Fagan, PhD | Professor, Temple University School of Social Work
FRPN Co-Director Jessica Pearson, PhD | Director, Center for Policy Research


News from FRPN

© 2020 Fatherhood Research & Practice Network. All rights reserved
The Fatherhood Research and Practice Network was supported by grant #90PR0006 from the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents are solely the responsibility of the Fatherhood Research and Practice Network, Temple University and the Center for Policy Research and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, the Administration for Children and Families or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.