Better Dads, Better Kids!

Aug. 9, 2010 - PRLog -- United Way of San Diego County announced funding for a new program to empower fathers, Better Dads, Better Kids.  Four local agencies will receive funding to serve low-income Latino fathers, those involved with Child Welfare Services, those who are currently in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility, and fathers in the military. Funded agencies include Healthy Start Military Family Cluster, a program of SAY San Diego; North County Lifeline; Vista Community Clinic; and YMCA of San Diego County.

“The goal of the program is to improve and increase father’s parenting skills and abilities in order to prevent child abuse and neglect,” said Shaina Gross, Community Impact Manager. “It will include elements of anger management, child/parent communication, child/parent interaction, positive discipline, and knowledge of key parenting skills.” Each of the four agencies will measure the success of those factors using pre- and post-assessment as well as case manager notes.

”Our focus is on education, income, and health—the building blocks for a better life,” adds President & CEO Doug Sawyer. “Under the umbrella of education, by funding programs that teach these fathers about better parenting, we help protect children from abuse and neglect and prepare them for success in school and life. That’s better for the individual families as well as our community as a whole.”

Debra Roberts, YMCA parent educator, will be implementing the United Way-funded program. She feels strongly that “Better Dads, Better Kids” will help fathers throughout the county.

“Adding individual coaching sessions allows us to be more responsive to the particular concerns of each dad, helping them to be more engaged in and committed to parenting their children.  By expanding our program, we hope these fathers will more fully integrate healthy parenting practices into their everyday lives.”

Roberts went on to commend United Way for “exemplifying a true collaborative approach to funding. I appreciate that they are modeling how teamwork works!”

To learn more about the Better Dads, Better Kids program, contact Aimee Zeitz at azeitz@uwsd.org or call 858-636-4164.

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United Way of San Diego County is a nonprofit organization that for 90 years has improved lives by mobilizing the community and raising funds to solve Education, Income, and Health issues. The United Way movement creates long lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems that prevent progress in these areas. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to become part of the change. To learn more about the United Way, visit http://www.uwsd.org or Facebook.