Research shows that children perform better in schools and have fewer behavioral problems when their fathers are involved in their lives.
Mental Health America of San Diego offers classes for fathers to learn the skills needed to be the best dads they can be. Its Father2Child program is designed to educate and support fathers in being a positive influence in the lives of their children.
Executive director Daphyne Watson told KPBS that Father2Child is entering its third year and has had almost 200 participants. Of the participants, 105 have graduated from its program, which impacts more than 250 children.
"We teach fathers how to really communicate with their children," Watson told KPBS Evening Edition. "We teach them techniques about the development of a child."
Robert Hardy, a father of five who graduated from the program, said he can see how the program has improved the lives of his children.
"I see more positive attitudes," Hardy said. "My son who attends a class with me, I see his self-esteem go out the window. I came from a background where my dad left me so I didn't know how to be a dad. This program really taught me the values of being a good dad."
Two-thirds of participants learn about the program through community outreach and word-of-mouth. The program is also planning to expand into Latino and Native American communities.
Father2Child is a county-funded program and is free to participants. More information can be found at Mental Health America of San Diego.
Additional resources for fathers can be found at the National Fatherhood Initiative.
