The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is committed to supporting the economic and social well-being of children and families. ACF programs aim to empower families, support the development of children, and encourage strong, healthy communities.
This guide provides a listing and details of services for fathers and families.
This National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) Tip Sheet has suggestions and resources to help young dads enjoy a successful journey with their child and their child’s mother.
Information is drawn from previously published NRFC material and other resources noted at the end of this document.
Divorce is a stressful process for families. One parent being incarcerated further complicates several aspects of the family relationship, such as communication, custody arrangements, child support, and relationship maintenance. This guide is part of a series aimed at helping families in which parents are separated or divorcing and who share parenting responsibilities for children.
Fathers are models to their children. Through your example, you provide a model of what fatherhood and manhood are all about and teach many lessons about life, relationships, and responsibility. It’s about how you treat other people, spend your time and money, and handle the joys and stresses of life. Even when children seem to be ignoring you, they are aware of how you conduct yourself. This resource provides tips for you to put being a good role model into practice.
When dads spend time with their kids from the very beginning and work to keep close feelings between them, good things happen to the kids. This resource provides tips for new fathers to engage and bond with their newborn.
Estos consejos en español ofrecen orientación sobre las formas en que los padres pueden entender a su niño en edad preescolar, fomentar el desarrollo de su hijo, y participar en la vida de su niño en edad preescolar.
Estos consejos en español ofrecen orientación sobre las formas en que los padres pueden apoyar y participar en las vidas de sus hijos preadolescentes.
Fatherhood in America is changing. Today, fathers who live with their children are taking a more active role in caring for them and helping out around the house, and the ranks of single fathers have grown significantly in recent decades. At the same time, more and more children are growing up without a father in the home. The changing role of fathers has introduced new challenges as dads juggle the competing demands of family and work. Here are some key findings about fathers from Pew Research Center. (Author introduction modified)
Visitation can be an important and meaningful experience for incarcerated parents and their children, but it can also bea source of stress and anxiety when parents’ or children’s expectations do not align with what ends up happening. Many aspects of visitation are outside of the control of an incarcerated parent, but there are things you can do to anticipate problems and reduce stress to make visitation a positive and beneficial experience for everyone involved. Below are things to consider when planning for a visit from your child. If you do not know the answer to a question, think about who…
Children benefit from caring, responsive, and stable relationships. A strong relationship with a parent promotes a child’s development, learning, and increased school success. Relationships with parents help children learn to develop connections with peers and other adults. Supportive relationships with parents also help children learn to manage emotions, cope, problem-solve, and resolve conflicts. Early childhood professionals can encourage strong and positive parent-child relationships through family engagement efforts that include valuing, respecting, and supporting families. (Author…
