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The 2023 Fatherhood Summit:  May 16 - 18 - Click Here for More Information

 

The Washington Fatherhood Council is a cross-cutting, collaborative, transformational group of more than 25 state and local providers, academics and — most importantly — fathers with lived expertise, which helps further the goals of reducing poverty and inequality. We offer resources focused on the improvement of service providers around the state, connecting dads to resources they need help finding, and bringing fathers with their lived experiences into these discussions.

We know that:​

  • Child and family well-being improve when fathers are positively engaged in their children’s lives.​
  • Fathers play a unique and important role in children’s development.​
  • Fathers should have support and resources to become the fathers they aspire to be.​

Dads Connect

Fathers have asked for a place for Dads to meet and talk about things that matter.  Dads Connect is a monthly time for fathers to come together in brotherhood to discuss the challenges of fatherhood and how to be a better dad.  Come join us on the third Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

Dad Allies Provider Learning Series 

The Dad Allies Initiative established a series of responsive community, provider, and dad focused events to build Washington state’s father-friendly capacity to support dads to become the fathers their children and families need them to be. Learn more about our upcoming events here.

Fatherhood Photo Bank

The Fatherhood Photo Bank is now live! Learn more here. 

Father-Friendly Resource Map

We have surveyed organizations across Washington to compiled a father-friendly resource map of services. If you are a services provider not listed on our resource map, please take 3 minutes to complete our survey and we will add your organization. 

My dad is an important play partner and helps me grow a healthy brain!

-- Lamb, M. E. (2004). The role of the father in child development. 4th ed. Hoboken, N.J.: J. Wiley.
National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. (2020).

Dads can embrace a “caring masculinity” mindset, which tends to lead to healthier, happier kids.

-- Petts, R. J., Shafer, K. M., & Essig, L. (2018).
Does adherence to masculine norms shape fathering behavior? Journal of Marriage and Family, 80(3), 704-720. doi:10.1111/jomf.124

Toxic stress, such as a life in poverty, can have serious mental, physical, social-emotional, and behavioral consequences for children and can impact a child’s academic success, social connection, and economic stability. But there’s hope: an involved father can lessen the impact of these negative outcomes for a child in poverty!

-- Lee, J., & Schoppe-Sullivan, S.J. (2017). Resident fathers’ positive engagement, family poverty, and change in child behavior problems.
Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies, 66, 484-496. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering

Did you Know...

1 in 5 children live without a father in the home in Washington

-- The Annie E. Casey Foundation (2020)
Kids Count Data Center

Science tells us that we need to protect young brains from adversity to help them thrive in school and life. Working together toward our goal of reducing poverty in Washington State by 50% by 2025 allows us to create an upward spiral of possibilities to help ensure every child is able to achieve their full human potential.

-- David Stillman, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Social & Health Services Economic Services Administration

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