New from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse! 
Happy spring from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse. March is Women’s History Month and what better time to celebrate the wonderful women in your life! In honor of the women who support fathers, check out this great webinar from 2018 on The Role of Women in Fatherhood Programs .

As a reminder, the best way to prevent the spread of germs is h andwashing .   It involves five simple and effective steps (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry).
Opioid addiction has become a national crisis as these prescription drugs tear apart families and have short and long - term effects on children and adolescents whose parents are addicted. Here are some of the startling statistics: 
 Children and youth affected by familial Substance Use Disorder (SUD) are at risk themselves for  disrupted lives, school problems, trauma-related anxiety, and higher risk of using substances themselves .  Addiction can disrupt the lives of dads in many ways; from dealing with addiction themselves, watching a spouse or other close family member fight substance abuse, or even having to witness their own child become addicted. The resources provided can hopefully help fathers and programs impacted by this crisis.  

Opioid addiction does not have to be a life sentence. There is hope. Learning from others’ experiences is one way to try and work through an addiction, whether it is yours or a family member. The Center for Disease Control features  real stories of the pain and challenges  faced by families impacted with addiction. Sometimes it helps to simply know you are not alone. Learn more about opioid misuse and overdose, data, and prevention resources at CDC’s  Opioid Overdose website . 
For Dads
  “It’s impossible for someone to be the father a child needs if he is suffering from an opioid use disorder.”  ~ Joseph Cammilleri  
 
Children who live with a parent who has an opioid use disorder often live in a chaotic environment with little or no stability. They are impacted by their parent’s drug use on many levels and may experience emotional, behavioral, or substance abuse problems themselves.   Joseph Cammilleri speaks from a clinical perspective  in his blog on dads and opioid abuse and provides a thoughtful perspective on working through this addiction.  
 
More and more children, particularly teens, are becoming addicted, often resulting from an injury that required pain medication. Individuals who are prescribed opioids prior to graduating high school are  33% more likely to misuse prescription opioids  after graduating.  Mind Matters: The Body's Response to Opioids  is a publication for teens that explores the ways that opioids drugs affect the brain, body, and life. The National Institute on Drug Abuse published   Opioids: Facts Parents Need to Know  which provides resources and tips for communicating with teens about opioid addiction.  

Opioid addiction does not have to be a life sentence. There is hope. Learning from others’ experiences is one way to try and work through an addiction, whether it is yours or a family member. The Center for Disease Control features  real stories of the pain and challenges   f aced by families impacted with addiction. Sometimes it helps to simply know you are not alone. L earn more about opioid misuse and overdose, data, and prevention resources at CDC’s  Opioid Overdose website . 
Social Media Spotlight
Check out the new ad campaign with Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers, #DanceLikeADad routine  here !  Then, post your go-to dad dance using  #DanceLikeADad  on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.     
For Programs
Does your program have resources available or offer services to fathers dealing with addiction themselves or addiction with family members? Here are some items from the NRFC library that can help your program develop or promote programs for dads dealing with opioid addiction. 
This toolkit offers strategies to health care providers, communities, and local governments for developing practices and policies to help prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Access reports for community members, prescribers, patients and families, and those recovering from opioid overdose. 
 
In 2015 alone, more than 33,000 people in the United States died of opioid overdose, which is over 90 people each day. This toolkit, developed by the HHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, contains practical steps your organization can take to bring hope and healing to the millions suffering the consequences of opioid abuse disorder. 
 
Infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) consultants play an important role in in their work with families who may be affected by opioid misuse. IECMH consultants can be a resource and partner with programs in providing culturally responsive, family-centered approaches to addressing substance use and can support programs in developing policies and procedures for screening families for substance use using evidence-based screening tools; conducting brief interventions to help women reduce their use of alcohol and other drugs; facilitating referrals to family-centered treatment and recovery services for women with probable substance use disorders; and addressing the social and emotional needs of infants and young children in families affected by substance use. This report highlights examples of innovative efforts to support families affected by opioid use.
 Upcoming Events 
NRFC is monitoring events and will update our website and in newsletters if events are cancelled.
March 18, 2020
Newport, Rhode Island
March 29 – April 2, 2020 
Phoenix, AZ
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Our Mission: The goals of the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse are to provide, facilitate, and disseminate current research and proven and innovative strategies that will encourage and strengthen fathers and families and providers of services. 

Our Resources: Visit the  NRFC website for fatherhood topics and tools, news, and new publications, which can be found through the NRFC online library search . 
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