The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State (Clearinghouse), in partnership with the Department of Defense, has launched a new parent-education module specifically designed to support fathers and father figures in building stronger relationships with their children. This module is also a valuable resource for other caregivers who are parenting alongside fathers by providing insights into the unique role fathers play in child development and the parent-child relationship.
The "Father Forward: Present. Engaged. Supportive." module adds to the Thrive Initiative's suite of evidence-informed parenting programs. This free, self-paced online learning module, which takes about two hours to complete, can empower caregivers of children from birth to 18 years old to better understand and support their child's distinctive strengths.
“We developed 'Father Forward' to address the critical need for resources that empower fathers and encourage their engagement in parenting,” said Daniel F. Perkins, principal scientist at the Clearinghouse and professor of family and youth resiliency and policy in the College of Agricultural Sciences. “The module recognizes the invaluable influence fathers have in shaping a child’s social, emotional and cognitive development.”
The new module is designed to be easily understood, accessible and practical for all users. "Father Forward" highlights the profound influence fathers and father figures have on their children’s lives and offers actionable insights and tools to help them build strong, supportive relationships with their children. It explores key topics such as understanding the role of fathers in their children’s success, navigating the challenges of parenting in split households (if applicable), coping with parental absence and managing the balance between work and family life. In addition, the module emphasizes the importance of fostering emotional connections and prioritizing self-care to support fathers in their journey.
“Sometimes, fathers are overlooked as nurturant, effective caregivers,” said Terri Rudy, research program manager and portfolio manager for the Thrive Initiative at the Clearinghouse. “However, just like mothers, they can and do serve as positive role models for their children. By providing this resource that is specifically for fathers, we are telling dads that we see them, realize their important influence and acknowledge their strengths. We are also reminding other caregivers to see fathers as the great source of support that they can be.”
The Thrive Initiative offers a comprehensive library of parenting programs, modules and resources that are designed to strengthen families and enhance the parent-child relationship. The core universal programs address common parenting challenges across different age groups, while supplemental modules like Father Forward highlight specific topic areas. Although the Clearinghouse recommends that parents and caregivers engage in a core universal module prior to participating in a supplemental module, this is not required.
“Supporting and encouraging a father's involvement in their child’s life can make the father a better parent and improve outcomes for the child,” Rudy said. “We hope fathers complete this module having learned new or different strategies they can use to engage with their children and families and that coparents complete this module with a better understanding of the challenges fathers may face and how they can best support them.”
To learn more about the Thrive Initiative and enroll in the "Father Forward: Present. Engaged. Supportive." module, visit www.thrive.psu.edu. Email the Clearinghouse Thrive team at thrive@psu.edu for questions about the Thrive programming. Follow Thrive on Facebook or Instagram for updates and resources.
The Thrive Initiative is the result of a partnership funded by the Department of Defense between the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy and the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture through a grant/cooperative agreement with Penn State.
About the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness
The Clearinghouse is an applied research center committed to advancing Service members' and their families' health and well-being. The Clearinghouse takes a solution-oriented approach that includes conducting applied research studies, building workforce expertise through training and resource provision, implementing and evaluating evidence-informed programs and practices and delivering objective data and policy-relevant findings so that decisions are based on the best science and evidence available. The Clearinghouse is located within Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute.