Laura Young
news@greenepublishing.com
A free program for families in Jefferson, Madison and Taylor counties is available to help fathers and stepfathers increase their awareness and knowledge about what it takes to be a good parent. Offered by Healthy Start, in partnership with Battlefront Education and Wellness, T.E.A.M. Dad – which stands for Teaching, Empowering, Advocating for and Mentoring men on their fatherhood journey – is inviting fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers or role models in our tri-county area who are involved with a child under three years of age or men with a pregnant partner to enroll.
The program provides a dedicated T.E.A.M. Dad support specialist, who is an experienced father and/or who has received extensive training in the 24/7 Dad® curriculum, created by the National Fatherhood Initiative, to meet with fathers for a series of one-on-one sessions. The head fatherhood coach for the local tri-county program is David Boatwright. He holds sessions at a time and place that is convenient for the participant. Fathers and stepfathers in the program learn how to interact with their children in healthy, productive ways. Any participant who has mental health needs can also be referred to Lisa Boatwright, a counselor whose services are provided as part of the program at no cost.
According to the Healthy Start website, “Battlefront combines case management with mental health and support services to break down those barriers which keep fathers from being the fathers they WANT to be!” Topics for the sessions include family history, showing/handling feelings, men's health, the father’s role, discipline, children’s growth, communication, working with mom, co-parenting and more.
To enroll in the program, visit healthystartjmt.org/fatherhood-services. For more information, contact Lisa Boatright, of Battlefront Education and Wellness, at (850) 843-6486. You can also follow announcements and events on the Facebook page for T.E.A.M. Dad of Jefferson, Madison and Taylor counties.