Facilitating Fatherhood: Factors, Falsehoods and Findings in Early Relational Health

The importance of fathers and non-birthing parents has gained increasing attention in recent years, particularly in the research community. Service agencies and providers are in a crucial position to have an impact and influence on the early relational health of families with infants/toddlers while connecting them more robustly with and within their communities. This presentation will provide three perspectives on fathers/non-birthing parents, early relational health, the importance of inclusion, the father-infant relationship, father’s perspective, stories from the field, foundational beginnings, intrinsic rewards, promotion of self-efficacy/resilience and overcoming obstacles (real or imagined).

Objectives:

• Name one determinant in early relational health.
• List three ways a service agency can shift to be more father/non-birthing parent friendly.
• Identify two practices service agencies can use to promote community connections.