parenthood Program

The Parenthood Program is a court ordered and voluntary program that is designed to assist fathers (and mothers) to put themselves in a better financial and emotional position to better provide for their children. This is achieved through paying their child support and being a positive, active role model in their child’s life. The Parenthood Program Case manager works with the parents by referring them to community resources, such as; drug treatment, GED classes, job skills training, resume-building, and seeking better employment.  Participants are required to attend a parenting class, through these classes parents are taught how significant their role is in the healthy growth and development of their children.  

Family Services of North Alabama provides Parenthood Programs in Marshall, Blount, and St. Clair counties of Alabama.

Assistance Provided

• Referral to drug treatment
  
• GED classes
• Job skills training
• Resume-building
• Employment search services
• Parenting classes
  

How To Be a Special parent!

• Find the time to be actively involved with your kids and their activities
• Say “I Love You” and other positive phrases every chance you get
• Be aware of your kids’ lives. Ask them questions about their day, friends, school, dreams, etc.
• Respect your child’s other parent. Fathers and mothers who respect each other provide a better environment for their children.
  
• Hug your kids and show them how valuable they are to you.
• Treat your children as capable. Root them on. Be your child’s biggest fan.
• Eat together. Sharing a meal together provides structure and an opportunity to discuss what is going with each of you.

The Positive Impact of Father Involvement

In a study examining father involvement with 134 children of adolescent mothers over the first 10 years of life, researchers found that father-child contact was associated with better socio-emotional and academic functioning. The results indicated that children with more involved fathers experienced fewer behavioral problems and scored higher on reading achievement. This study showed the significance of the role of fathers in the lives of at-risk children, even in case of nonresident fathers.

Source: Howard, K. S., Burke Lefever, J. E., Borkowski, J.G., & Whitman , T. L. (2006). Fathers’ influence in the lives of children with adolescent mothers. Journal of Family Psychology, 20, 468- 476.