Focus on Fathers (FOF) is an initiative targeting fathers in Philadelphia to provide them with workshops and resources for healthy parenting, relationships, and job readiness. (HPC) proposes to develop and implement the Focus on Fathers (FOF) initiative, a coordinated parenting, healthy marriage education and economic stability program. FOF builds upon and expands the current parenting education model HPC has successfully implemented for 15 years by adding a deep focus on healthy relationships and economic mobility services. The initiative will deliver direct services through three distinct education courses (parenting/fatherhood, healthy relationships, and job readiness) coupled with intensive case management services that includes direct linkages to services such as financial management, mental health/substance abuse treatment, trauma counseling, legal services, housing, and a host of other supports available through the Focus on Fathers Partnership Network. In addition to providing comprehensive direct services, HPC will plan and launch a media campaign to promote the unique and vital role of fathers in creating positive outcomes for their children and to raise the visibility of FOF. Low-income fathers in Philadelphia face many barriers to establishing and maintaining positive and engaged relationships with their children. These barriers include poverty, unemployment and lack of employment mobility, severed or conflictual relationships with the child(ren)’s mother, limited education, mental health struggles, substance abuse, experiences of trauma, and incarceration. Through proposed activities and partnerships, FOF will assist Philadelphia’s fathers with overcoming these barriers to positive father-child engagement. Projected long-term outcomes of the program are to improve family functioning, improve adult and child well-being, increase economic stability and mobility, and reduce poverty.
