Daddy and Me

Daddy and Me is a responsible fatherhood program designed to support father figures in resolving barriers that impact their ability to be actively engaged in their children’s lives. Studies have shown that a positive father/child relationship not only helps the child grow up to be a productive member of society, but also encourages and motivates fathers to lead a more constructive life even in the most difficult circumstances.

This program is here for Daddies to feel that they have a place to go when they seek answers or have questions about their children’s development. It can be any question as small as haircare, bathroom time, playtime and talk time, or as big as how to be patient with their child, time management, chores, dating or financial responsibilities. Daddy and Me will provide fathers with tools to help face any challenges that can arise when raising a child, and will support the fathers to becoming DADDIES:

▸ Establish or repair their relationship with their children

▸ Parent with increased skills, confidence, and competence

▸ Understand aspects of child development and safety

▸ Learn practical activities and ideas they can put to use right away

The Daddy and Me program will walk fathers through difficult topics.

Daddy and Me classes are designed to address the emotional and practical aspects of fathering through all stages of divorce.

In an interactive group setting for fathers-only, participants will:
▸ Gain skills necessary for relating to your children during and after divorce.
▸ Learn strategies for minimizing conflict with your former spouse or partner.
▸ Demonstrate your commitment to being the best possible father to your children.
▸ Discover insights from other fathers’ stories and circumstances similar to your own.

After completion of the Daddy and Me program, a majority of fathers reported multiple positive results.

▸ They had warmer, more affectionate relationships with their children with more open communication and less conflict.
▸ The amount of time spent with their children doubled on average.
▸ They felt more confident across a variety of domains including teaching, discipline, understanding and responding, and tending to their children’s needs.
▸ Their desire and ability to abstain from alcohol and drug use increased.

DADDY and ME Program for TEEN DADS

This program is in an effort to reach this underserved, at-risk population—often referred to as ‘the forgotten partner in teen pregnancies’.

Daddy and Me program for Teen Dads provides expecting and parenting teen fathers in Alameda County with support, fathering skills and resources. Many of these young dads feel alienated and experience a lot of judgment from their family and from their friends at school. Our co-facilitated group model provides them with a safe, educational and positive place to be with others going through similar experiences, as well as to learn important relationship skills.

The content of the group meetings is based on the stories young fathers share about their everyday lives—the challenges they face, the strengths and resources they draw upon—interspersed with:
▸ Fathering skill-building activities
▸ Usable knowledge about child development (including the latest in brain science)
▸ Practical parenting tips
▸ Thematic ‘virtual visits’ from guests brought in via video

Daddy and Me Program addresses topics such as: creating a vision for fatherhood, managing toxic, drug use, stress, building healthy attachments with your child, communicating with your child’s mother, and building brain architecture through serve and return interactions. Daddy and Me Teen Dad Program is an excellent complement to services for teen mothers.