Fatherhood Initiative

The Fatherhood Initiative Program began in 1998 as an extension of the Families First Program here at Madonna Place. Services at the time were primarily focused on case management and group work.

In 2000, The CT Department of Social Services, DSS, selected Madonna Place as one of three pilot programs in the state. After a number of years of research by The University of Hartford, The Connecticut Department of Social Services in conjunction with The National Fatherhood Initiative, created a certification process to ensure quality standards of operation for fatherhood programs. The first Fatherhood Certification Program took place in 2005. It included a comprehensive review of our program and Madonna Place successfully completed this process and became one of the original five Certified Fatherhood sites in Connecticut. There are currently 6 Certified sites in Connecticut.

Purpose:
The purpose of the Program is to increase positive involvement and interaction between fathers and their children. We work with fathers to help them increase their ability to meet their parental responsibilities of providing social, emotional, medical, educational and financial assistance to their children.

Groups offered through the Fatherhood Program:

The 24/7 Dad

Mondays – 5:30PM to 7:00PM. This group is an exciting and rewarding journey for men as they become a 24/7 Dad. The group focuses on characteristics that every father needs and covers the universal aspects of fatherhood so that men of all cultures, races, religions, and backgrounds can benefit from the program. You will honor your fathering skills as you learn about yourself and the important roles that you have with your children and in your family. In addition, you will learn important ways to strengthen your relationship with your wife or with the mother of your children. Finally, you will be given a great opportunity to develop effective strategies to manage your physical and mental health and to help you balance your work and family commitments. Enhancement of the Child Development portion of this program is made possible by our partnership with Building Blocks, a social emotional wellness program for children.

Relationship Group
This is a pioneering new curriculum aimed at promoting an understanding of what it takes to build healthy, mature relationships – kind of committed relationship that strengthens families and communities. The curriculum activities have been designed to recognize the knowledge and experience that each couple brings to the program. Men and women will be introduced to new skills to practice outside of program and learn new ways of relating to each other.

Our program is dedicated to reaching out to more dads in the New London County area. For this reason below are organizations we have partnered with to provide educational parenting skills.

New!! Group held at Backus Hospital Birthing Center
Doctor Dad is a groundbreaking workshop that enhances a father’s parenting skills in caring for the health and safety of his infant or toddler. The workshop covers topics such as: treating minor cuts and scrapes, when to call a doctor, how to make your home child-safe, and how to keep your child healthy. Certified healthcare professionals, health educators or other qualified persons teach this interactive workshop in four sessions, each lasting 2 hours.

New!! 24/7 Dad Group at SCADD in New London
Substance abuse is a disease and dads who suffer from this have unique struggles with parenting. We are excited to meet the needs of the participants by having a fatherhood staff member and a substance abuse counselor co-facilitating this group. (This portion of our program is only open to clients of SCADD from the New London area.)

New!! Teen Dad Group!
The Fatherhood Initiative at Madonna Place is starting a group for teen dads! This is a place for proud, young dads and dads to be. It's Free! We will feed you! You can bring the little one! AND You with get to chill with others just like you ...dudes who know what baby diapers smell like, what spit-up looks like and what it takes to get a baby to stop crying! Mondays after school from 2:30-4:30 PM. To sign-up call and ask for Scott.


	The mission of Madonna Place is to provide services which strengthen families, promote health, and help to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Directory of Services Home Family Support Center Fatherhood Initiative Meet the Staff Newsletter Dr. Dad Upcoming Community Events Resources for Fathers 24/7 Dad Testimonials Facts on Fathers Families First Nurturing Connections Parents In Partnership Family School Connection Board of Directors Staff Directory Classes / Groups Mad Science at MP Volunteer Opportunities Employment Opportunities Group Facilitator Donations ANNUAL APPEAL Diapers Hygiene Products Needed News and Events Dodge Ball Tournament March 27, 2010 *What can you do to help Fathers continue to develop positive relationships with their children?* Donate today!


What can you find at Madonna Place? New Friends Phone Availability Parenting Classes, Day & Evening Anger Management (Classes and Support) Free, On-site Child Care Nutrition & Health Information Educational & Self Improvement Programs Employment Education, Information and Support Emergency Supplies & Baby Equipment Donated Clothing & Household Goods Referrals, Counseling & Advocacy Family Support Exercise/Stress Reduction Craft Activities		Children See An Australian organization called ChildFriendly.org recently put out a children's rights video titled "Children See." It depicts parents at their worst -- abusive, violent, careless, angry -- as well as their children following their lead. It's disconcerting, disturbing, startling, but it's also an excellent reminder for even the most thoughtful parent that our children are watching us, every minute of every day. Funding for this ‘Promoting Responsible Fatherhood’ program was provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service, Administration for Children &Families, GRANT #: 90FR0031, as administered by the CT Department of Social Services. The Department of Social Services’ programs are available to all applicants and recipients without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age disabilities, learning disabilities, and national origin, ancestry or language barriers. The Department has a TDD/TTY line for persons who are deaf or hearing impaired and have a TDD/TTY: 1-800-842-4524. Auxiliary aids are also available for blind or visually impaired persons. The Department of Social Services is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

	240 Main Street, Norwich, Connecticut (860) 886-6600 Fax: (860) 892-5411 email: madonna.place@snet.net

Children See