National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse

We all experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, and anger from time to time. But how do we know if these feelings are just a normal period of “the blues” or part of a bigger problem—a more serious mental health issue? It is important to ask…

Earlier this year, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Sims initiated something historic: a call to all Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to recognize fathers through events held around Father’s Day. Dubbed “Father’s…

Recently, the DadTalk blog recognized how the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is celebrating fatherhood with their Fathers Day 2011 events held at local public housing authorities.

Here are some thoughts, quotes, and…

Recently, the DadTalk blog recognized how the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is celebrating fatherhood with their Fathers Day 2011 events…

Exciting news: today, we are launching the “TableTalk” blog series on the DadTalk blog! TableTalk are ideas of things that dads can talk about with their kids. TableTalk can happen at any time; it might be a conversation over a meal or while you…

Last week, we launched the first in series of blog posts we are calling TableTalk. TableTalk posts include…

Last week, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded just over $119 million in funding to programs that promote healthy marriages and relationships and that help fathers…

In response to the call by President Obama to strengthen fathers and families, the NFL Players Association shared the initiative with players, encouraging them to showcase the role of fathers and mentors in their communities.

Ran Carthon, a…

Fathers, uncles, male mentors, grandfathers, brothers, and community leaders recently gathered at the Café at Chicago Vocational Career Academy in Chicago, IL to share what men can do to increase their involvement and support in the lives of…

As the tax filing deadline quickly approaches, many fathers and families are likely feeling some pressure. Tax season and the pressure of filing on time and correctly is stressful, but there are Federal programs out there to help. Programs…

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Father’s Day event is back! Originally inspired by a New York City Housing Authority event, last year over 200 Public Housing Agencies (PHA) participated in the inaugural celebration for the…

More than a decade has passed since the last such comprehensive review of the responsible fatherhood field and much has changed in the interim. The Center for Research on Fathers, Children and Family Well-…

Recent studies reveal that the approximately 24 million children in the United States living apart from their biological fathers are two to three times more likely to be poor, abuse drugs and alcohol, experience emotional, health, behavioral and…

The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) and the Ad Council unveiled a new series of public service announcements (PSAs) that feature footage from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Despicable Me 2.  The PSAs will…

Being a father means a lifetime of not always knowing what to expect, and it all begins when you’re expecting. Will your baby be a boy or a girl? Tall or short? Will your baby have your nose, or your partner’s sense of humor? 

As the father of an infant, you probably feel like something new is happening every day. Around 2-to 3-months old, your baby will be going through a lot of…

Imagine you’re running a fatherhood program. Walking in your door are men with children. With questions, issues, maybe feeling like they’re not good enough. Walking out your door are Dads. Men who are reconnecting with their kids, communicating…

Fathers of infants and young children have a lot going on. Every day is filled with joy and new challenges. Sometimes the mere act of making sure your child survives from minute to minute can seem overwhelming. Just surviving the adventure of…

A few weeks ago, America was introduced to Doyin Richards, a corporate professional managing many different responsibilities, who decided to take some time for his most important job, being a dad. …

Fatherhood Buzz February 2014 Healthy Relationships took place at barbershops and community partners across the country on Saturday, February 20, 2014. Squirt & Louis’ Perfect Cut in Dothan, AL was featured in this WTVY News 4 feature…

Many kids think that dads know everything. That means dads have to be prepared to tutor their kids on almost any topic, including the really tough ones like money.

When it comes to money, you don’t need to have an advanced Business degree…

Fathers affect every community, no matter what the zip code is. Find out why fathers matter by checking out this great video from our friends at HUD who are…

The simplest tasks in life, many times, have the power to connect us with others and affect us the most. For example, finding more healthy affordable food options on a simple trip to the local grocery store can change your family’s diet for years…

A lot of us remember that feeling. Waiting. Patiently. The nervous energy. Excitement carefully held at bay. Something AMAZING is about to happen. But what could it be?

Dad.

Dad’s coming! Coming home from work or from an extended…

In the afterglow of the official Father’s Day this June 15th, the NRFC team wants to encourage you to enjoy being a dad every day. Yes, the cards, gifts, and celebrations of your special day are hard earned and well deserved, but the fun can…

“Just take my son to the park, have a little picnic with him. You know he can’t eat that much, but feed him Gerber. As long as I see my son, that’s the best Father’s Day I could ever have.” Joel Ramirez, 17, father in L.A. Fathers Program

When it comes to getting inspired to be a great dad, who better to look to than the dads who helped build the foundation of the United States? In celebration of this Independence Day here are five great fatherhood lessons taken from the lives of…

Parenting is filled with challenges. When parents live apart, these challenges can seem to grow, but the NRFC Hotline offers a resource and potential solution to parents when challenges arise. When they work together they can improve their…

The first thing, and arguably the best, any dad can give is their time. Whether it’s spent doing homework, tackling chores, or just talking about the day—the smallest moments can have the biggest impact on a child’s life. If you’re feeling like…

Do you need publicity or foot traffic for your fatherhood program, barbershop, or other community organization that serves families and dads? There’s a great opportunity coming up for you.

All year long, community organizations, program…

Why? Because laughs are powerful. They are not only great for your bond with your children, laughing can help you live longer, according to a recent Mayo clinic article. Laughing together and playing together often go hand in hand.  Check out…

During the holidays, we look forward to spending time with family and loved-ones.  The season is full of opportunities to make wonderful memories, but it can also be a stressful time, particularly for co-parents and blended families. Parents in a…

They are words no father wants to hear. They never come out as a statement, but a groan, a plea to get you to make whatever it is that has caused this uncomfortable feeling to stop and go away.  Here are some quick tips from…

Getting your child to smile and laugh is a great feeling as a parent. A big toothy grin feels like a great reward for a funny joke, silly story, or happy moment. Developing early good dental health habits is important in keeping those smiles…

To borrow from the British pop group The Beatles, we all get by with a little help from our friends. Fatherhood programs call them partners. Whatever the name, we are all stronger when we come together.

This January, the NRFC team had the…

Watching the benefits of a successful program partnership can be empowering. Knowing that working together benefits everyone involved is one thing, but witnessing different groups come together to achieve those goals is something special. While…

“Being bullied is not a rite of passage,” said David Miller, NRFC Social Media Manager and Urban Leadership Institute Co-Founder. “We, as fathers, need to regularly demonstrate to our children that all people are to be treated with respect.” The…

Recently we spent some time with a group of dads to hear their feedback about what motivates them to be the best father that they can be. What motivates them to “take time to be a dad today?” One dad, currently in the middle of a divorce, shared…

Moms can make every day special. Mother’s Day is a perfect time to celebrate the mothers in our lives, and to show the other special women in our lives, like aunts, grandmothers, and friends, how much we care. This year, do something not only on…

Summer vacation. The words still bring a feeling of joy to thousands of kids (and former kids). No class. No homework. It’s the dream. 

Summer vacation, for parents, may bring feelings of panic and anxiety.  No regular child care. No pre-…

On Sunday, millions of kids across America celebrated their dads, and everything they’ve done for them. If you’re a dad, you’ll know that it’s an incredibly special and rewarding role. Sure, it has its challenges and may not always be easy but it…

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. October is…

Winter, with its cold weather and long nights, is not always considered the ideal time for family activities. You might even be tempted to huddle up inside and wait for spring to come. However, with a little creativity, you and your kids can make…

Ed. Note: This post first appeared on the DadTalk Blog in December 2014. Read the original post here.

During the holidays, we look forward to spending time with family and…

January is National Mentoring Month and Monday, January 18, 2016 is National Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day of Service.

Chances are that if you are reading this post you are already committed to being a positive, loving, and strong…

This time of year, many people are striving to achieve, or remember, their New Year’s resolutions. Many of us set goals to take better care of ourselves and spend more time with those we love. Even with the best intentions these goals can be…

In the latest Kung Fu Panda 3 movie from DreamWorks Animation, Po, reunites with his long-lost birth father. Po was separated from his family at a young age and grew up with his adoptive father. When his birth father comes back into his life…

Enjoying Valentine’s Day is not always easy because Cupid’s arrow does not always seem to find everyone! Valentine’s Day puts a lot of pressure on us to shower our partner and children with love on one specific day. The pressure on Valentine’s…

In the 2005 movie Coach Carter, Samuel L. Jackson plays a high school basketball coach challenged with developing his team into successful students, competitors, and citizens. He does this by holding them accountable to high standards: schoolwork…

Benjamin Franklin famously stated that the only two certainties in life are “death and taxes.”

Let us add “homework” to Franklin’s list.

Nearly everybody – child or adult, man or woman – has dealt with the challenges and…

There’s something special about dads and daughters. It’s a special and unique connection, and beyond being a source of happiness, being a positive, involved influence in your daughter’s life can have a significant impact on her long-term well-…

The 2016 theme for the Children’s Bureau’s National Foster Care Month is “Honoring, Uniting, and Celebrating Families.” This year's theme highlights the important benefits to children…

Accidents can happen to anyone, sometimes even under Dad’s watchful eye. The most important thing dads can do to keep their children safe is stay informed about how they are most likely to get hurt. Even though most children do not get seriously…

On Mother’s Day, many fathers seek ways to honor the mothers of their children. Sometimes, there is not a mom in the equation but another adult who plays an important role in the child’s life who deserves appreciation, such as a grandmother or…

What are you planning to do with your family this weekend? Or next weekend? Or the weekend after that? Coordinating schedules and managing our time is a big part of parenting. Between bringing kids to practice or afterschool activities, having…

This year the dads here at the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse have been asking you to share the different ways that you have been taking time to appreciate the everyday moment and the special occasions that you spend with your kids…

In summertime, the warm weather, increased hours of sunlight, and the absence of school open the door for all kinds of new, fun outdoor activities that may not be possible during the school year or in other seasons. Spending time in nature is…

You’re at the supermarket, and your daughter is focused on a bag of chocolate candies. When you take them from her, she throws herself on the floor, screaming.

Sound familiar? The toddler years are a trying but rewarding state in your…

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America present an incredible opportunity for parents and children alike to become more involved in their community and to explore, learn, and grow alongside one another. With millions of children participating…

Another Father’s Day full of special and memorable moments has come and gone, but the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse has kept the momentum going through the #makeamoment campaign. This year, we have been reminding dads that it only…

During the summer months, it is easy to put learning on the back burner. Summer activities, vacations, and other priorities often get in the way, and kids can lose some of the math and reading skills they spent the previous school year building.…

Fatherhood programs come in many shapes and sizes; some begin as demonstration or grant-funded programs, some as grassroots efforts, and others grow out of pre-existing organizations. Regardless of their origin or structure, launching fatherhood…

As the old adage goes, we must hope for the best while still preparing for the worst. Unfortunately, disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods happen all too often in our communities. However, initiatives such as National Disaster…

The month of September is now recognized across the nation as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. As we continue our efforts to combat the continuing crisis of childhood obesity in the United States, it is important to recognize that we have made…

Fathers who live apart from their children often come to fatherhood programs with deep feelings of frustration, shame, and hopelessness. Many have found themselves becoming the absent dad they swore they would never be. Many of the men who…

National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated September 15 to October 15, recognizes the important contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States, as well as celebrates their history and culture. September 15 was chosen as the…

Effective responsible fatherhood program practitioners are aware of the various circumstances that program participants may experience.  Each father brings with him his own set of lived experiences and set of beliefs that shape the way he behaves…

Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have suffered from domestic violence at the hands of an intimate partner.1 Although some of us may have heard this shocking statistic before, it still bears repeating. Domestic violence is an issue of national…

For many responsible fatherhood programs, workforce development and financial empowerment are seen as key components. For many workforce development programs, however, responsible fatherhood and parenting skill building is not as often seen as a…

The Thanksgiving holiday is the perfect time to reflect on what we have to be thankful for in our lives, spend quality time with family, take a break from work and school, and of course, eat some pie! Whether you travel to visit others or stay at…

August 2016 celebrated the 21st anniversary of National Child Support Awareness Month. On August 5, 1995, President William J. Clinton signed Proclamation 6814…

In December, families often take time to come together and celebrate the holidays. Whether you are taking part in traditions that have been in your family for generations or creating new ones with your own kids, the holiday season is a perfect…

Empathy is at the heart of what it means to be human.

Harvard University’s Making Caring Common project provides a clear…

Over the recent holiday season, the old adage “caring is sharing” often comes to mind. Sharing gifts. Sharing time with family and friends. Sharing food (perhaps a cookie or two). These are all wonderful ways to show others that we care about…

“The IRS estimates only four out of five workers claim EITC they earned.” – NRFC DadTalk Blog

Filing taxes is a notoriously confusing and complicated process. As the April filing deadline approaches and the conversation around taxes gets…

“When I found out I was going to be a father [at 21], I had to make some conscious decisions about my behavior. I soon found out that I couldn’t afford to buy both liquor and diapers.” – Andre Dandridge, NewYoungFathers.com

Responsible…

“If no one in your group is talking about it [domestic violence], you’re not addressing it.” – Lisa Nitch, House of Ruth, Maryland

For parents of teenagers and programs working with young fathers, knowing and recognizing the warning signs…

Being a dad can be one of the most joyful experiences in a person’s life. The bonds between fathers and their children are deep and last a lifetime. Loving fathers want the best for their children and work to strengthen these bonds of love;…

With Father’s Day coming up next month, you might be looking for new and engaging ways to get your partners and community involved with the issue of Responsible Fatherhood. The recently launched …

“When we talk about a child losing a parent to incarceration and we are interpreting the ACES [adverse childhood experiences] literature only through a child maltreatment lens, the meaning that gets made (intentionally or not) is that children of…

Having a parent in jail or prison can harm children’s emotional and physical wellbeing, so it is important to…

Funded by the ACF Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, the Fatherhood Research & Practice Network (FRPN) promotes rigorous evaluation of fatherhood programs that serve low-income fathers and works to expand the number of researchers…

What comes to mind when you hear the term “new parent?” Maybe it conjures the image of a frazzled and sleep-deprived adult. Parents both new and old are often seen as chronically tired, which has well-documented ramifications on their health and…

The way that children begin to understand themselves and the world around them is mediated through play. The value of play is in the way that children learn to navigate their world. The benefits are far reaching. For example, self-regulation…

As technological innovations grow and expand into so many facets of our lives, it often seems that students are reading books less and less. Parents can easily hand their child a tablet with a game or some other app to keep them occupied, whether…

Non-residential fathers are diverse, and they face diverse circumstances. Young fathers, divorced fathers, and fathers who may not have a formal relationship with a child’s mother all…

Through program practitioners’ day-to-day work with fathers, they are given a unique window into the ways fathers shape their children’s development. However, it is also important to step back and dig into the research from time to time in order…

Check out this blog entry from The Family Dinner Project about helping your children develop “grit” – the qualities of perseverance, resilience, and…

The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse recently published a new Data Snapshot revealing how men’s behaviors, attitudes, and values…

On June 21, the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) will launch its Virtual Collaborative Community (VCC) and redesigned Fatherhood.gov site. Practitioners will have new options for engaging with peers and keep up with the latest…