National Center for Fathering
Basic Information
National Center for Fathering
P.O. Box 413888
Kansas City, Missouri 64141
Ken R. Canfield, Ph.D., President
Peter Spokes, Executive Vice President
Ron Nichols, Director of Training
Phone: (913) 384-4661
Fax: (913) 384-4665
E-mail: dad@fathers.com
Web site: www.fathers.com
The National Center for Fathering is a non-profit education and research center, founded in 1990, to champion the role of fathers and to equip and inspire men to be more engaged with children.
The Center's services include:
Father-Equipping Resources
Today's Father magazine: A quarterly full-color magazine with practical advice, anecdotes and inspiration for dads.
Each issue includes an article and feedback inventory on an aspect of fathering (for example, being aware of your children) that affects every dad, no matter what their circumstances. Other articles will address particular challenges such as dads in prison, adoption, non-custodial fathering and grandfathering. A free sample issue is available by calling (913) 384-4661. In addition, bulk quantities can be purchased.
Web site: The site, started in April 1996, now encompasses over 100 pages of material, with articles for dads in different situations and at different stages in the life course. Gallup Poll results, humor and detailed information on the Center's training opportunities and resource offerings are all included on the site. It receives over 10,000 visits a month and up to 100 e-mail inquiries in a week. Yahoo, one of the major internet search engines, named the site one of their picks of the week in its first year.
Tool kit for dads: A simple brochure of practical tips for dads called 5 Ways to Be a Real American Hero.
This full-color, 11" by 17" brochure includes a short feedback profile with questions about the amount of time a dad spends with his children. This gives a dad input on his level of commitment to fathering. The brochure sketches out the life stages of fathering, helping men to develop a life-long vision for their role as a father. The 5 Ways brochure is designed for anyone requesting information about being a better dad. It's available at bulk rates either "as is" or the brochure can be customized with a sponsoring organizationís contact information.
The Heart of a Father: This book, by Ken Canfield, Ph.D., includes his own experiences, as well as user-friendly advice based on the Center's research findings.
The first section of the book helps a father evaluate and deal with the effects of his own father on the way that he parents. The second section outlines a job description for a dad by giving the four key dimensions of fathering: Involvement, Consistency, Awareness and Nurturance. The final section describes the life course of a father and helps a man plan for
fathering over the long haul. The president of Today's Family, author Gary Smalley, says it is "The definitive book on being a dad for the next decade." The appendices offer summaries of the Center's survey research. (Published by Northfield, Chicago, 1996).
Direct Training
Seminars: The Center's materials have been used to teach "Connecting With Your Kids" and similar courses in a variety of settings, ranging from executives at ITT Sheraton in Minneapolis and SC Johnson Wax in Racine to inmates of federal correctional facilities. The presentations include video clips and interactive exercise focused on getting dads to
interact with the material emotionally and verbally.
Courses: Trainers associated with the Center have conducted courses with the Jackson County (Kansas City) Drug Court and the correctional system in Detroit, Michigan, working with fathers who've had contact with the legal system.
In addition, the Center has participated in designing curricula for training middle-school males in the responsibility of fatherhood, for training absent fathers in rescue missions (or similar settings), and for training fathers of elementary and middle school students. Small group materials are available for purchase from the Center. These have been used in settings such as businessmen's breakfasts ("For Dads Only" in Orange County, California) and in conjunction with Parent-Teacher groups in several elementary schools outside Atlanta, Georgia ("D.A.D.S." - Developing as Dads Specifically in Lilburn, Georgia).
"Train the Trainer" Training
Center staff have worked in a variety of settings to equip those who work directly with dads to provide fathering training. They have trained representatives from schools, churches, police departments, MAD DADS, and military family service officers. Besides working in these arenas, these trainers have worked with hospitals and programs like Head Start (this
innovation of teaching fathering to dads of Head Start children was featured at a regional Head Start "Best Practices" conference).
Research
Gallup Poll: The Center has conducted two Gallup Polls on fathering in 1992 and 1996. These polls demonstrated growing awareness of the importance of fathers. Those agreeing with the statement: "The most significant family problem facing America is the physical absence of the father from the home" grew 10 points between 1992 and 1996. 79% of
Americans now agree with that statement. In 1996, 90% of Americans also agreed with these two statements: "It's important for children to live in a home with both their mother and father," and "Fathers make unique contributions to their children's lives." Complete results of the 1996 poll may be purchased from the Center.
Fathering surveys: The Center has developed a 138-question "Personal Fathering Profile," as well as shorter version, "The I-CANs Profile" which is contained in The Heart of a Father. The PFP has been termed by experts in the field as ìthe most comprehensive, scientifically-validated instrument available for men to evaluate their fathering.
Awareness-Raising Work
Community Leaders Briefings: The Center has conducted briefings in different communities, ranging from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Orlando, Florida, on the importance of fathers and the possibilities for initiatives to strengthen fathers. These briefings can be customized to fit particular audiences. The briefings include video presentations as
well as quality handouts and briefing materials. A 5-page paper on how a community can pursue a comprehensive fathering initiative is available.
"Father of the Year" Essay Contests: Since 1991 the Center has conducted "Father of the Year" essay contests to draw individual and community-wide attention to the crucial role fathers plan in the lives of their children. Primarily conducted through schools, the contests have drawn 40,000 participants in a year. The Center works with sponsors and supervises screening the entries, selecting grade-level winners, identifying finalists, and selecting a "Father of the Year." In 1997, contests were conducted statewide in Minnesota with the Minnesota Twins; in Illinois with the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Cubs, and the Illinois
Fatherhood Initiative; and in the Kansas City area with the Kansas City Royals.
"Fathering Hall of Fame": The Center has established a "Hall of Fame" as a way of recognizing responsible fatherhood. Until a physical home is built for it, it is located at www.fathers.com. The Center envisions this as a way for children to honor their fathers in a tangible ongoing
way.
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