DadTalk Blog

For many responsible fatherhood programs, workforce development and financial empowerment are seen as key components. For many workforce development programs, however, responsible fatherhood and parenting skill building is not as often seen as a critical program piece. To help bridge this divide, the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) and the Center for Urban Families (CFUF) held two listening sessions. The first with...

Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have suffered from domestic violence at the hands of an intimate partner.1 Although some of us may have heard this shocking statistic before, it still bears repeating. Domestic violence is an issue of national importance, and it falls on each of us to make a promise to ensure that every victim of domestic violence knows they have a supportive community to which they can turn. It is in light of this need for...

Effective responsible fatherhood program practitioners are aware of the various circumstances that program participants may experience.  Each father brings with him his own set of lived experiences and set of beliefs that shape the way he behaves as a father. Effective group programs are built on a foundation of trust that encourages self-reflection, personal sharing, peer support, and ongoing growth.1 A key part of building this foundation...

Ed note: This post originally appeared in the ACF Family Room Blog. View the original post here.

It is time to rethink monitoring approaches across early care and education programs.

Last month, the final Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations were published in the Federal Register. Based on the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014, the regulations strengthen many important health, safety, and...

National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated September 15 to October 15, recognizes the important contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States, as well as celebrates their history and culture. September 15 was chosen as the starting day of Hispanic Heritage Month because it is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.1  During Hispanic...

Ed note: This post originally appeared in the ACF Family Room Blog. View the original post here.

Poverty rates are higher for rural children and rural families are more likely to live in extreme poverty. These families also face unique challenges, many made worse by geographical isolation. Many rural residents lack connections to jobs, resources, and programs intended to improve economic outcomes. Families lack transportation, housing...

Fathers who live apart from their children often come to fatherhood programs with deep feelings of frustration, shame, and hopelessness. Many have found themselves becoming the absent dad they swore they would never be. Many of the men who participate in fatherhood programs either do not live with their children and/or do not have legal claims to their kids. Many dads also face issues around a lack of steady employment, stable housing, and a...

The month of September is now recognized across the nation as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. As we continue our efforts to combat the continuing crisis of childhood obesity in the United States, it is important to recognize that we have made some progress in recent years.  However, there is still a long way to go.

Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing severe health problems later in life, including high blood pressure...

As the old adage goes, we must hope for the best while still preparing for the worst. Unfortunately, disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods happen all too often in our communities. However, initiatives such as National Disaster Preparedness Month encourage families to put contingency plans in place should emergencies arise. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait, Communicate,” with an emphasis on preparedness for youth, older adults,...

Ed note: This post appeared in the ACF Family Room Blog and was originally posted by the Department of Education. View the post here.

Back to school time can be a hectic time for both you and the kiddos. These are some of our best back to school tips to help ensure this school year gets off to a great start!

#1: Visit the school

Walk or ride the route your child will take and make note of school patrols, crossing guards...