Fatherhood Initiative

The President is determined to make committed, responsible fatherhood a national priority... [T]he presence of two committed, involved parents contributes directly to better school performance, reduced substance abuse, less crime and delinquency, fewer emotional and other behavioral problems, less risk of abuse or neglect, and lower risk of teen suicide. The research is clear: fathers factor significantly in the lives of their children. There is simply no substitute for the love, involvement, and commitment of a responsible father.

A Blueprint For New Beginnings: A Responsible Budget for America’s Priorities
Released February 28, 2001

The Department of Health and Human Services has developed a special initiative to support and strengthen the roles of fathers in families. This initiative is guided by the following principles:

All fathers can be important contributors to the well-being of their children.
Parents are partners in raising their children, even when they do not live in the same household.
The roles fathers play in families are diverse and related to cultural and community norms.
Men should receive the education and support necessary to prepare them for the responsibility of parenthood.
Government can encourage and promote father involvement through its programs and through its own workforce policies.

The Department’s activities account for those circumstances under which increased involvement by a father or a mother may not be in the best interest of the child. This is true for a small number of children, however. The Department strongly supports family preservation and reunification efforts when they do not risk the safety of the child.

Specific information on the Department’s Fatherhood Initiative:

What’s New
Overview of HHS Activities
Improving Opportunities for Low-Income Fathers
Caring for Young Children
Fathers and Children’s Health
Toolkit for Fatherhood (includes Responsible Fatherhood Management Information System)
Around the Regions
Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics (FORUM)
Research Reports
Program Evaluations

Disclaimer: This website contains links to fatherhood and related websites created and maintained by other public and private organizations. This information is provided for the reader's convenience. The Department of Health and Human Services does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Further, these links do not intend or imply endorsement of any views expressed or products or services offered.

Related Web Sites:

ACF Healthy Marriage Initiative
Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE)
Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics (FORUM)
National Center on Fathers and Families (NCOFF)
National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA)
Federal Office of Minority Health in HRSA
Administration for Children & Families’ Welfare Reform Home Page
National Strategy to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Assistant Secretary for Planning & Evaluation’s pages on Domestic Violence, TANF/Welfare, and Teen Parenting
Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP)
Joint Center for Poverty Research (JCPR)

Where to?

[ HHS’ Fatherhood Initiative Home Page ]

[ ASPE Home Page ]

Last updated June 2, 2004

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