October 2, 2003

 

Dakota Fatherhood Initiative

The Dakota Fatherhood Initiative is a grassroots effort to bring together individuals from North and South Dakota who work with fathers in a variety of programs and settings. It furthers the goals of both the Clinton and the Bush Administration to strengthen the role of fathers in family life, which have been specific domestic policy priorities in the last decade.

The program originated a little over a year ago in the Dakota region. "During that time, considerable progress has been made in addressing issues regarding responsible, involved fatherhood," says Sean Brotherson, co-director of the initiative and a North Dakota State University extension family science specialist. "Yet considerable work lies ahead to build an organizational structure."

As part of the initiative, a Fatherhood Summit is held each year. This year the summit was held in Fargo. "It gives us an opportunity to address key issues regarding male and father involvement in family life," Brotherson says. "We review research, programs on father involvement, showcase resources and encourage networking and capacity-building activities."

This was the third summit, which rotates between locations in North and South Dakota. This year’s summit focused on providing specific training and resources to promote responsible fatherhood rather than on simply exploring issues and assessing stakeholder interest.

Some of the topics covered during the summit:

• Center for Successful Fathering - Programs and Activities for Fathers
• Healthy Marriage Initiative
• Youth Development and Father Involvement
• Involving Fathers in Early Childhood Programs
• Fathers and Children with Special Needs
• Fathers and Divorce
• Men and Violence Issues
• Fathering in Native American Communities
• Fathers and Parent Education
• Working with Incarcerated Fathers

Participants had the opportunity to learn about particular resources or programs in an in-depth fashion and to pursue opportunities for further training. "Already we have seen the benefits of this approach, as we are currently aware of additional training efforts now going forward as a result of the conference related to the Center for Successful Fathering, Involving Fathers in Early Childhood Programs, and Working with Incarcerated Fathers," Brotherson says. "We anticipate additional momentum to come from the additional areas that were emphasized as part of the conference."

Brotherson became interested in founding and promoting a state-level or regional effort to strengthen fatherhood in the Dakota region after a report from the National Center for Poverty ranked North Dakota and South Dakota as among the worst states in the country in this area in both 1997 and 1999. He then worked with Joseph White at South Dakota State University, Linda Rorman, director of the North Dakota Head Start - State Collaboration Office and others to develop the initiative.

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Source: Sean Brotherson, (701) 231-6143, sean.brotherson@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu