It is an exciting time at The Fatherhood Project! We are wrapping up the first research phase of our Father Engagement Initiative at Massachusetts General Hospital's Vincent Department of Obstetrics. During the two-week pilot study, we administered a survey (in three languages!)  to fathers visiting the OB service with their pregnant partners to learn about their experience there, and what services would help them to feel more competent as fathers.  We received approximately 400 responses, and were pleased to hear many men thank us for our work and interest while completing the survey. Ask and we shall learn! We are now in the process of compiling the data and determining our next steps. A more in depth update will be included in our next newsletter when these tasks are complete. In the meantime, we will continue to share information about the pilot study on our blog.

 

Last month, our Director of Programs, John Badalament, and I attended the  National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's conference,  Fatherhood Outreach: Implications of Men's Health and Community Engagement in Pregnancy Outcomes. The presentations and discussion were at a uniformly high level, and were directly related to the work TFP is doing to increase father engagement during the prenatal period. The conference reinforced the importance of this work, and we are inspired to further develop TFP research, staff training, and direct services to fathers.  

 

In recognition of the "back to school" season, this month's newsletter focuses on the importance of father involvement in schools. You will find research that illustrates the benefits of father engagement in school as well as resources that allow educators, parent groups, and dads themselves to take action.