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Fatherhood Project
The Start
On October 3, 2011, TELACU was granted a four-year ($799,999) Responsible Fatherhood grant from the Administration of Children and Families to implement an integrated array of services in partnership with five Community and Faith-Based Organizations (CFBOs).
Annual Participation
At least 225 Fathers annually participate in 24/7 Dad small groups offered in an experiential peer-to-peer supportive environment. Additionally, the fathers have an opportunity to take 8-16 hours of Love Notes relationship-enhancement classes and 8-hours of Money Smarts financial management classes depending on the Family Advocates recommendations.
Economic Stability
Lastly, fathers will have the opportunity to access economic stability activities including job preparedness classes, an array of certification classes (e.g., OSHA, solar panel installation, Fork-lift, CPR), job training institutes (in either office careers, medical careers, or construction); and transitional jobs through a landscaping social enterprise. Unemployed fathers following these programs can take join the local FuturoNow Job Club that support them in locating part/full time employment.
Results
During the first year in-take process, our participants self reported that 68% were unemployed. Upon completion of the program, this number was reduced by half with 59% reporting they were now employed. In addition, the following results emerged from the program:
847 Fathers completed 24-hours of parenting classes
634 Fathers completed 8-hours of relationship enhancement classes
469 Fathers completed 8-hours of financial management classes
261 Fathers completed a vocational certification program and/or a transitional job.
Family Strengthening Initiative (FSI)
The Start
Through a five-year Healthy Marriage Initiative grant ($1.1 million per year) from the Administration of Children and Families (ACF), FuturoNow FSI provided educational programs to 25,000 low-income Hispanic couples, youth and individuals in the four county area of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties.
Interpersonal Skills
Men and women are taught a variety of interpersonal skills including conflict resolution, goal setting and effective communication. Teenagers are taught how to look beyond casual dating to find compatible partners who will help build solid, respectful relationships.
FSI was designed to:
help low-income Hispanics access healthy relationship and marriage supports
develop new, culturally-appropriate resources to help individuals prepare for, build, restore and maintain healthy relationship
reduce barriers that keep individuals from using new and existing services
develop effective methods for diverse organizations to work together in a culturally-competent and effective manner
provide young adults with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about relationships
teach youth and adults how to identify and address unhealthy relationships.
Results
These objectives were accomplished in partnership with over twenty local Community and Faith Based organizations throughout the four counties who were trained to outreach and engage community members to attend the classes.
In 2010, FuturoNow commissioned researchers to evaluate the impact of these programs which produced a seventy-page research report of findings. The evaluation methods included pre and post survey data; in-depth interviews; and focus groups. The results showed that program participants showed significant improvement in their communication, conflict resolution and parenting skills, while also increasing their sense of commitment in their relationships.
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