The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70177

Stan McLaren¹, Deborah Brome, PhD², Sergut Wolde-Yohannes, MPH, EdM³, Todd Payton, MA¹, and Eugene Jones¹. (1) Father Friendly Initiative, 774 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, 617-534-7725, stan_mclaren@bphc.org, (2) Global Evaluation and Applied Research Solutions, 3804 Landgras Cove, Decatur, GA 30034, (3) Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center, 801B Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118

For over two decades environmental pressures on pregnant women, such as the stress caused by unsupportive and/or abusive relationships has been reported as a factor that impact birth outcomes. Since barriers to positively engage fathers in minority communities are many and complex, the service delivery system must be designed to respond to the unique needs of these populations.

The major goal of Father Friendly Initiative (FFI) is to influence birth outcomes of disadvantaged children and fragile families of Boston by providing holistic and "one stop" culture, language, and gender specific forums for self-development to low-income and never-married fathers of color.

While in program, participants receive a six-month comprehensive program that includes 16 lessons fatherhood curriculum, counseling and referral to assess and improve their roles as partners, fathers, and members of their communities. Central to the program are holistic treatment and "one-stop" services. The "one-stop" service delivery model documents the unique needs of program participants and provides either in-house or refers clients to other health and human services agencies that are FFI partners. FFI, as a unique responsible fatherhood program can serve as a model for other agencies that strive to improve the quality of life in African-American communities.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of presentation, participants will be able to:
• have an overview of the structure, design, activities of a father's focused community-based "one-stop" program,
• list challenges to developing a "one-stop" culturally and linguistically appropriate comprehensive program for low-income, never-married fathers

Keywords: Community Programs, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Deaprtment of Revenue, grants