Father Involvement

Being a dad today means more than just being a good provider. A dad has an important role in the mental, emotional, and social growth of his children. Dads who support, nurture and stay positively involved in their children's lives can help a child feel better about themselves, give them a better chance of succeeding academically, and help them become better problem-solvers. Dads also feel better about themselves when they have the tools, skills and supports necessary to be a positively involved parent.

Most of the dads involved in the Rural Father Involvement Initiative are divorced or separated; they do not have custody of their children but do have access. We meet in a group or if preferred we work one on one. After a few meetings men usually feel comfortable discussing issues around themselves and their children.

Areas covered in this program are: self esteem, children's feelings, working things out with an ex-partner, fatherhood after separation, life challenges and personal issues. Sessions are based on the needs of the participants and we work together until there is a sense of accomplishment for the fathers.

Although more information has been available for dads in the past few years, it can still be hard to find father-friendly resources that deal with issues dads face. The Father Involvement Initiative - Ontario Network (FII-ON) is a Canadian site aimed at supporting a general mobilization approach and concerted action and is designed to be of assistance to local and provincial organizations, which want to be pro-active around father involvement.

Learn more about the father involvement initiative and other RRHC programs and services that will help build a responsive community that protects the rights of children, reduces child abuse and neglect and strengthens families to nurture their children. Call our office at 519-482-8777 or 1-800-479-0716.