251752 In His Words: A male perspective on paternal engagement

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 3:26 PM

Brian Bragg, BA , Maternal and Child Health Department, Access Community Health Network, Chicago, IL
Misty Drake, MA , Maternal and Child Health Department, Access Community Health Network, Chicago, IL
Waldo Johnson, PhD , School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Dwayne Carter, BA , Maternal and Child Health Department, Access Community Health Network, Chicago, IL
Perrin Greene Jr., BA , Maternal and Child Health Department, Access Community Health Network, Chicago, IL
     
Background:

In 2009, 24 million children nationwide lived apart from their biological fathers; 64% were African American, 34% were Hispanic. In 2010 Access Community Health Network conducted a male involvement needs assessment to assess paternal engagement and sustained involvement from a male's perspective. The assessment results informed the development of the Chicago Parenting Initiative, an intervention aimed at enhancing parenting and life skills for urban fathers with the goal of improving birth, parenting, and child development outcomes.

Method:

A self-administered survey was conducted with 15 unwed male partners of current pregnant female patients that assessed barriers to paternal engagement and involvement. Results informed program design and provided valuable information on engaging fathers.

Results:

Needs assessment data showed 22 as the average age and 41% of males having some high school education. 83% of males (67% Black, 33% Hispanic), spent some or a lot of time with their children, while 78% revealed that work or income affects their ability to spend time with their children. Additionally, 73% perceived services in the area of job placement, education, legal and parenting education would sustain their involvement as parents.

Conclusion:

Assessing paternal engagement from the male's perspective is critical to addressing service needs. The presentation will describe the needs assessment process and services identified to strengthen father engagement in the lives of their children.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the importance of the male perspective in program design 2. Explain strategies for the development of a culturally and gender specific male involvement program

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As Program Manager, Men's Health at Access, I will be responsible for day-to-day oversight of the CPI Intervention. I have 15+ years experience in the field of Public Health, and have been involved in community based outreach efforts targeted to hard-to-reach families in medically underserved communities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Engaging Young Fathers in Parenting and Pregnancy Prevention
See more of: Maternal and Child Health