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Father Engagement

Father visiting children at a classroom.

Father and male caregiver engagement is a vital and integrated aspect of parent, family, and community work. Head Start programs partner with fathers and male caregivers to:

  • Promote positive outcomes for their children, families, and themselves
  • Help them develop their skills and interests and achieve goals for themselves and their families
  • Support them as advocates, lifelong educators, and first teachers of their children.

Explore these resources to learn ways to enhance your program’s father engagement efforts.

Engaging Expectant Families, Including Fathers

Early Head Start (EHS) staff engage pregnant mothers and expectant families as they prepare for their new baby. Connecting families to comprehensive prenatal care, such as nutrition education, oral health care, and mental health supports, is all part of the process. This includes engaging fathers from the beginning. Understanding what to expect during pregnancy and after the birth can help young families feel better prepared to face parenthood.