Fathers Acting Together to Help Each other Reach Success (F.A.T.H.E.R.S.) Program

„« Background: In 2009 24 million children lived apart from their biological father. 64% were African American, while 34% were Hispanic. Kids who live in fatherless homes are more likely to be substance abusers, experience education, health and behavior problems. The F.A.T.H.E.R.S program is a community based intervention designed to provide life skills to urban fathers on the south and west sides of Chicago, reduce subsequent pregnancies among participants, and support healthy development of babies. „« Method: The F.A.T.H.E.R.S program has designed a cultural and gender specific curriculum to assist fathers with health, education, employment, parenting, and legal resources. The men will participate in twelve (12) support groups: six pre- and six post birth groups. Individual care management sessions will provide one-on-one, comprehensive services to clients on a personal level. The F.A.T.H.E.R.S program created community collaborations to support workforce development and legal assistance help for participants. „« Conclusion: The presentation will discuss the implementation of the intervention in the selected communities, and how the intervention is received by the participants. The presentation will include a program analysis, in addition to initial program quantitative and qualitative data. „« Learning Objectives: A. Determine how best to recruit and retain urban males for a Male Involvement program. B. Examine successful strategies to implement a family planning program by including male partners. C. Discuss challenges in engaging male partners to be more positively engaged in pre and post natal care.