"Sometimes it seems like the bad news doesn't end--lost a job, no supportive family around, back child support, on and on--but now I have someone to talk to and work with to make a way to be the dad I want to be." - FOCUS+ for Fathers Graduate
FAMILIES OFFERING CHILDREN UNFAILING SUPPORT
FOCUS+ helps fathers maximize their positive influence in the lives of their children.
NewDay works to increase responsible father involvement in the lives of their children. Participants are referred from the Child Support Courts, Child Protective Services, and various other public and private entities. The centerpiece of the program is the 10-week, FOCUS+ Curriculum for Fathers. There are three goals of the program:
Evaluating FOCUS+ for Fathers
In 2015, NewDay was evaluated by CPS comparing 35 fathers that had graduated from FOCUS+ for Fathers to 30 non-graduates/non-attendees. The results follow:
NewDay works to increase responsible father involvement in the lives of their children. Participants are referred from the Child Support Courts, Child Protective Services, and various other public and private entities. The centerpiece of the program is the 10-week, FOCUS+ Curriculum for Fathers. There are three goals of the program:
- Benefit children by increasing fathers' emotional and financial support
- Strengthen co-parenting relationships
- Promote fathers' parenting skills (i.e. decision making, conflict resolution, and communication skills)
Evaluating FOCUS+ for Fathers
In 2015, NewDay was evaluated by CPS comparing 35 fathers that had graduated from FOCUS+ for Fathers to 30 non-graduates/non-attendees. The results follow:
- Fathers were 3X less likely to have a Termination of Parental rights (TPR) when graduating from FOCUS+ for Fathers.
- Mothers were 2.8X less likely to have a TPR when the father graduated from FOCUS+.
- Fathers were 4.5X less likely to relinquish their rights when they graduated from FOCUS+.
- Mothers were 2.3X less likely to relinquish their parental rights when the fathers graduated from FOCUS+.
- FOCUS+ for Father graduates were 24% more likely to participate in reunification.
- FOCUS+ for Father graduates were 3.5X more likely to be the final placement.
The Importance of Father Involvement
Children who grow up with involved fathers are:
Children who grow up with involved fathers are:
Source: Infographic -- The Importance of Father Involvement, Child & Family Research Partnership. June 2015.
Retrieved from http://childandfamilyresearch.org/2015/6/fathers2015.
Retrieved from http://childandfamilyresearch.org/2015/6/fathers2015.