DadTalk Blog

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 as a father. Effective group programs are built on a foundation of trust that encourages self-reflection, personal sharing, peer support, and ongoing growth. A key part of building this foundation of trust and respect is conducting work with fathers in a culturally competent way.

Cultural competence is the capacity to work effectively in…

Ed note: This post originally appeared in the ACF Family Room Blog. View the original post here.

It is time to rethink monitoring approaches across early care and education programs.

Last month, the final Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations were published in the Federal Register. Based on the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)…

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 starting day of Hispanic Heritage Month because it is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.1  During Hispanic Heritage Month, three other Latin American countries celebrate their independence days as well: Mexico, Chile, and Belize. Today, over 56 million…

Ed note: This post originally appeared in the ACF Family Room Blog. View the original post here.

Poverty rates are higher for rural children and rural families are more likely to live in extreme poverty. These families also face unique challenges, many made worse by geographical isolation. Many rural residents lack connections to jobs, resources, and programs intended to improve economic outcomes. Families lack transportation, housing, and access to broadband. Some locations even have…

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 participate in fatherhood programs either do not live with their children and/or do not have legal claims to their kids. Many dads also face issues around a lack of steady employment, stable housing, and a good relationship with the co-parent and often times with child support services.

Fatherhood programs can be a source of new hope as these…

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 some progress in recent years.  However, there is still a long way to go.

Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing severe health problems later in life, including high blood pressure and chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.1 In order to work toward a healthier future for our nation’s young people,…

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 Preparedness Month encourage families to put contingency plans in place should emergencies arise. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait, Communicate,” with an emphasis on preparedness for youth, older adults, and people with disabilities, as well as those with access and functional needs. Weekly themes include …

Ed note: This post appeared in the ACF Family Room Blog and was originally posted by the Department of Education. View the post here.

Back to school time can be a hectic time for both you and the kiddos. These are some of our best back to school tips to help ensure this school year gets off to a great start!

#1: Visit the school

Walk or ride the route your child will take and make note of school patrols…

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 programs is not an easy task. Careful planning and design are important for ensuring success and sustainability throughout the life of a program. To this end, identifying needs, understanding the community, fostering solid partnerships, crafting a thoughtful logic model, and determining the scope of services are important design steps identified by…

Ed note: This post originally appeared in the ACF Family Room Blog. View the post here.

Having a college degree is a key factor in long-term economic stability. Research consistently shows that individuals with a college degree have higher earnings than those without. Yet many low-income people neither enroll nor complete their education. How can we help them achieve college success?

The Pathways to Advancing Careers and…