Fatherhood Engagement Network

The NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is seeking to fund one grantee up to $150,000 a year for five years ($750,000 total, subject to availability of funding) to establish a statewide initiative that strengthens New York's capacity to engage, support, and empower fathers and father figures who support a person with developmental disabilities (DD). Project BackgroundFathers and father figures (i.e stepfathers, grandfathers, paternal role models) play a critical role in the development and well-being of children and families, with research demonstrating that a father's involvement is associated with positive childhood development and family well-being. Children with actively engaged fathers are less likely to show behavioral problems and are more likely to develop self-confidence and maintain positive relationships with others. Father involvement also contributes to stronger families, through shared caregiving responsibilities, increased economic stability and more consistent care for the child. Evidence continually demonstrates that father engagement is an important factor in the development of children and families.Even though there are well-established benefits of active father engagement, research finds that fathers are less likely than mothers to be directly engaged by professionals regarding their child's care and development. Historically, family services have been designed around mothers as the primary point of contact, resulting in outreach and programming that can exclude fathers. This, coupled with traditional barriers and assumptions about masculinity and caregiving, such as the father’s primary role being provider and protector, can reduce father engagement during a child's development. As a result, fathers are less likely to attend healthcare appointments, school and social events, and other opportunities that help create confidence and partnerships with the service systems that support children and families.These challenges are often amplified for fathers of children with developmental disabilities. Learning that a child has a developmental disability can represent a major life transition, which may be accompanied by grief, emotional isolation, and trauma. While mothers have traditionally been the focus of research and family support programming, emerging evidence indicates that fathers experience comparable levels of parenting stress while often reporting fewer opportunities to discuss their experiences or seek emotional support. Fathers may also feel increased pressure to provide financial stability while simultaneously becoming advocates and long-term caregivers for their child. Without connection and support, fathers may become discouraged to interact with support services during a period when their engagement is particularly important, for both their child and family.Considering that New York’s developmental disability service system relies heavily on family caregiver engagement, with an estimated 70% of people with DD in NYS living with a family caregiver, improving the well-being of fathers can improve outcomes for the child and family. ApproachThe CDD is seeking proposals from eligible organizations to strengthen and support fathers and father figures in New York State who support a person with developmental disabilities (DD). The selected grantee will:1. Establish a statewide Fatherhood Engagement Network connecting existing father organizations and identifying opportunities to expand and create father support services in underserved communities.2. Recruit and develop fathers as mentors, advocates, trainers, and community leaders.3. Develop father-to-father peer mentoring opportunities and support services for fathers who are newly navigating a child's diagnosis, including connecting fathers to mental health services.4. Collaborate with pediatric services and healthcare providers for quick connections to the Fatherhood Engagement Network and father support services.5. Collect and evaluate data on father engagement, identify barriers to participation, and disseminate recommendations to strengthen family-centered practice across New York.This 5-year investment would aim to create the infrastructure for a Fatherhood Engagement Network that expands opportunities for fathers to connect with services, learn from one another, and become active partners in supporting their children and families. Expected Key DeliverablesThe selected grantee will develop and implement the Father Engagement Network to strengthen and support fathers and father figures in New York State who support a person with developmental disabilities (DD). Key deliverables include:1. Establishment of a statewide Father Engagement Network, coordinating existing father organizations and identifying opportunities to expand and create new father groups around New York State.2. Development of father leadership and advocacy opportunities, including recruiting, training and supporting fathers to serve as mentors and community leaders.3. Implement father-to-father peer support services, connecting fathers with shared experiences, including fathers who are newly navigating a child’s developmental disability diagnosis.4. Develop partnerships with pediatric healthcare providers, developmental disability service providers and other relevant professionals to identify and refer fathers to the Father Engagement Network and other available father support services. 5. Develop and share recommendations, resources and promising practices to strengthen New York States developmental disability service systems’ ability to support and serve fathers.6. Develop a sustainability plan for the Father Engagement Network. Desired Project OutcomesThe intended outcomes of this grant opportunity may include:1. Improved social, emotional and mental well-being for fathers2. Increased father participation in care and advocacy3. Greater father confidence in supporting their child Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: None