The Center for Young Fathers

Young fathers still remain a very under-researched and underserved population and yet teen fatherhood has many of the same negative impacts and developmental consequences for young men and their children as they have for teen mothers (Leman and Ooms, 1993).

In the past, society in general has not provided young fathers with the same level of parenting support as teen mothers. Through our work with young dads, we have learned that they are dealing with many of the same complex issues as teen mothers such as homelessness, low education, lack of job skills, family violence, drug and alcohol problems, and lack of models for healthy relationships and positive parenting.

We have also seen that most young fathers have the desire to be good parents and that they will use services that are designed to meet their needs.

Recent studies have shown a link between teenage paternity and other high risk behaviors such as criminal behavior, school failure, and drug or alcohol use. In fact, frequent drug use and frequent involvement in delinquency have been shown to significantly increase the risk of teen fatherhood (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Jan. 2000).

Futures is committed to improving and expanding services for young fathers. Eight years ago, Futures began to focus on the needs of young fathers. Even though Futures had always been open to teen dads, the number of dads who were involved remained low. Changes such as hiring a male outreach worker, establishing a Young Family Resource Center for easy access, and developing services designed to attract young men has more than tripled our enrollment of young fathers. Now one-third of the parents enrolled in Futures are young dads.

In 2006, WORD was awarded a five-year “Promoting Responsible Fatherhood” demonstration grant through the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families to build on its successful work with young fathers. The target population for the new project, called the Center for Young Fathers, is teenage and young fathers, ages 15 through 24 in Missoula County. The project will provide services to 50 expectant or parenting fathers annually. All fathers meeting the age requirement will be eligible, including married and unmarried fathers, and those who are not residing with their children. The Center for Young Fathers project will provide a range of services to accomplish its aims including: case management; resource and referral; supportive services; a range of educational, career, pre-employment, and employment services; assistance with the legal aspects of fatherhood such as paternity, child support, visitation, and custody; skill building workshops; peer support through a monthly dads support group; and individual and /or couples counseling.