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Training Materials Fathers and mothers who interact positively with each other contribute to their child’s positive development in several ways. Young parents can interact positively as romantic partners or as co-parents. While these two aspects of parents’ relationships are related, co-parenting (e.g., the ability to support each other’s needs as parents) is particularly important for children’s positive development because it directly involves the child. Program staff can help young fathers and mothers foster supportive and positive co-parenting interactions to promote children’s well-being. This resource…
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Training Materials This co-parenting curriculum was designed to achieve these expected results: 1) Expecting and parenting youth are equipped with the knowledge and skills to create a nurturing environment for their children; 2) Expecting and parenting youth are equipped with the skills to establish a positive co-parenting relationship (i.e., able to effectively communicate and problem solve); 3) Parents co-create a parenting plan/pledge that enables them to work together to promote the well-being for their child; and 4) Ongoing and sustained involvement of both parents, especially the non-custodial parent,…
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Training Materials This compilation includes materials for professionals providing services to young fathers. The first section includes a factsheet that describes the benefits of young fathers’ positive involvement with their child and child’s mother. The second section includes an assessment and checklist to help organizations identify their strengths and areas for growth in working with young fathers and provides steps to make all aspects of programs more young-father-friendly. A workbook is then provided that includes interactive activities that will help fathers, mothers, and program staff learn more about…
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Training Materials The New Mexico Alliance for School-Based Health Care, as a contractor for the New Mexico Public Education Department, GRADS Plus grant, has created and collected a series of tools to increase the health literacy of young people who are pregnant/expectant and parenting. These tools may be useful directly for these young people or for adults who support them (e.g. teachers, health care providers, etc.). The goal of these documents is to assist in guiding young people as they navigate, for themselves and their children, the complicated U.S. health care system. These tools may be of use to any…
Webinar
While they face the same demands as all new fathers, young fathers in their teens and early twenties face additional challenges as they move from adolescence into adulthood. They may not have finished high school, they often are not married or even living with the mother of their child, some feel excluded from the father role, and many young fathers struggle to get a foothold in today’s changing economy. Despite these challenges, most young fathers do want to be involved in the lives of their children. Unfortunately, although data indicates they are generally involved during the early…
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Training Materials This 60-minute e-learning module from the Office of Adolescent Health provides an overview of key insights and data on the unique and irreplaceable role that fathers play in the well-being of their children. (Author abstract modified)
In the United States, nearly a quarter million adolescents give birth each year (Martin, Hamilton, Osterman, Curtin, & Mathews, 2015). Although 88.7% of these births are to unmarried teenagers, it has been estimated that more than half of adolescent mothers are in a romantic relationship with the father of their child at the time of birth (Beers & Hollo, 2009). Even though research suggests that many teenaged parents aren’t able to continue their romantic relationship over time, they often maintain a connection through their shared parenting relationship. (Author Abstract)
This fact sheet summarizes key components of TFP's Teen Dads Program, which provides expecting & parenting teen fathers in the Boston, MA area with support, fathering skills and resources. (Author abstract modified)
Children who grow up in single-parent families are more likely to be poor, have trouble in school, and become teen parents themselves. Additionally, children who are born to a mother who is a teenager, who hasn't finished high school, and who isn't married are nine times more likely to be poor than a child whose mother is even a few years older, is married and has at least finished high school. Thus, strengthening families through both teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) and marriage and relationship education (MRE) programs is an effort to decrease out-of-wedlock childbearing and increase the…
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Training Materials The R Factor was created in response to a successful middle school curriculum at Dads Make a Difference. The middle school curriculum builds awareness of the issues of paternity and father involvement. The high school curriculum immerses the student in case studies, discussion of complex social issues, and expert articles, challenging the student to plan for self-improvement and a healthy future and gives students a chance to learn an invaluable skill--teach them to build resiliency.The R Factor can be completed in eight to ten class periods and allows for flexibility and optional activities…
