The Maryland Department of Human Resources, in partnership with Campaign For Our Children, Institute for Interactive Instruction, Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, and local departments of social services in Montgomery, Prince George’s and Talbot Counties have been awarded a grant to implement the Winning Fathers Project.
The
Winning Fathers Project has operated successfully in Baltimore County, Maryland for several years. The project will expand this service model to include healthy marriage/relationship education for fathers re-entering society after a period of incarceration, and their spouses/partners. This enhanced Winning Fathers Project will be available, not only in Baltimore County, but, in other jurisdictions to afford a more comprehensive array of services to fathers and their families. The local departments of social services in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Talbot Counties will promote responsible fatherhood by implementing healthy marriage/relationship and responsible parenting activities and fostering economic stability through the expansion of the highly successful Winning Fathers Program.
Purpose
The enhanced
Winning Fathers Project, through a coordinated effort of the Department of Human Resources and it partners, will address the hurdles faced by incarcerated and ex-offender fathers and their families. The long-term objectives are:
Objectives for Families:
- Reduce the risk of Out-of-Home Placement
- Reduce family violence
- Advance the overall well-being of the children in the household
- Improve the families’ economic stability
- Increase potential for economic growth
Objectives for Healthy Marriage:
- Improve Communication between couples
- Improve the couples’ ability to resolve conflicts
- Strengthen the couple’s commitment to increasing marital stability
- Balance co-parenting responsibilities to reduce risk factors contributing to maltreatment
Objectives for Fathers:
- Develop healthy relationships in their home and community
- Develop their ability to resolve conflicts
- Overcome obstacles and barriers to parenting
Program Goals
The Winning Fathers project helps fathers and their spouses/partners develop healthy marital relationships in their home and community; develop the couples’ ability to resolve conflicts; advance the overall well-being of children in the household and improve the families’ economic stability.
Target Audiences
The project will serve 125 fathers who are incarcerated or ex-offenders and their spouses/partners..
Services
Relationship counseling, parenting skills development, and assistance with child support-related issues to enable fathers to better meet the needs of their children and co-parent effectively. Individualized services address the reduction of family conflict and violence, and are geared to achieve the overall goals of family strengthening and stability. Linkages to faith and community based organizations are utilized to enhance service delivery. Project participation is voluntary and all persons, regardless of race, gender, age, disability or religion are eligible.
