Colorado Fatherhood Initiative
The Family Resource Center Association is proud to serve as an intermediary organization providing strategic planning, technical assistance, networking, and staff support to The Colorado Fatherhood Network (CFN).
The Colorado Fatherhood Initiative was developed out of Governor Roy Romer’s office in the mid-1990s to bring state, county, and local decision-makers together to increase fathers’ engagement in their child’s life. The Governor convened a statewide Summit on Responsible Fatherhood in 1996 to kick off a state-level Task Force. The Summit included almost 500 child and family advocates, concerned citizens, philanthropists, and national fatherhood experts. The Task Force, supported by the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), identified steps for action that focused on promoting a father’s role in the family, building accountability measures for fathers, and providing opportunities to build mentorship and role models for responsible fathering.
After the report was published, the Task Force became a Steering Committee within the Child Welfare Office at CDHS. The network expanded membership to include local program providers over the next 15 years. The network transitioned out of CDHS and was hosted under the umbrella of private nonprofit organizations. The network supported statewide fatherhood programs through networking, education, peer sharing, trainings, and pass-through funding. In 2019, FRCA was approached to help move the Colorado Fatherhood Initiative forward.
FRCA and CFN are currently expanding network membership, facilitating peer-to-peer support and learning opportunities, exploring funding sources and implementing recommendations from FRCA’s 2020 Fatherhood Report. Please see below for information on fatherhood programming, networking opportunities, how to join CFN, and a Fatherhood Resource Hub for providers and network members.
Learn more about the FRCA Fatherhood Report here and find regional data here.
The Colorado Fatherhood Network
The Family Resource Center Association is proud to serve as an intermediary organization for the Colorado Fatherhood Network. The Network functions as a resource for fatherhood programs throughout the state with the goal of enhancing peer-to-peer support, implementing father-friendly practices, and supporting professional development.
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Benefits of the Network
The network seeks to expand membership and services by offering:
- Webinar series featuring local and national experts
- Peer-to-peer networking and support
- Technical assistance
- Support with program evaluation and database tools
- Strategies for capacity building efforts
- Quarterly meetings to connect with other programs and individuals in the state
- Tip sheets with up-to-date information on best practices and national trends in fatherhood services
Membership and Involvement
Network members include state agencies, non-profits, family resource centers, program practitioners, family programs, interested individuals, advocates, community activists, program facilitators, and dad leaders. The network is looking to expand membership opportunities across the state! Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions about or interest in the network.
Fatherhood Programs
There is a growing base of support for fatherhood specific programs and evidence-based practices. Please find national resources below for additional support in establishing and supporting your fatherhood and family programs.
Additional Program Support Resources
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