Father Engagement

Fathers, like mothers, play a significant role in their children’s psychological and emotional development. When fathers are actively involved, children are less likely to experience:

• Mental illness
• Juvenile delinquency
• Youth sexual activity
• Teenage pregnancy
• Substance use
• Childhood poverty
• High school drop out

We Believe:

• Fathers are irreplaceable in the lives of their children
• There is a direct link between positive father involvement and child well-being
• Fathers contribute to their children’s safety and stability.

On Tuesday, Mar. 17, Yuri Villacorta and Mercedes Alonzo from the Children, Youth and Families Division were guests on “La Voz del Condado de Fairfax” discussing Fairfax County services that support families and prevent child abuse and neglect. They focused specifically on our Father Engagement Program and issues in parenting that are specific to dads. If you missed it, you can listen to the interview

Check out the newest video! (Catch-up on all of the videos.)

Finding Balance When Mom and Dad Parent Differently

Filmed earlier this year, staff with the Department of Family Services’ Father Engagement Program explore differences in the ways moms and dads handle parenting, and how children can benefit from those differences.

Do You Want to Improve Your Parenting and Fathering Skills?
Our Father Engagement Unit sponsors the services and activities below to enhance fathers’ parenting and fathering skills, and to promote and celebrate the importance of fathers in Fairfax County.

Enroll in a FREE Dads Parenting Group by completing this form. (For Fathers Only)
Pre-registration is required. For information or to register call Bennie Herron at 703-324-7308, TTY 711; Champana Bernard at 703-324-3611, TTY 711; or Kimberly Torres (Spanish) at 703-324-3064.

It's a fact -- fathers are important to their children. Their positive involvement contributes to child safety and well-being. Dads Parenting Classes focus on self-awareness, self-care, parenting skills and relationship skills.

Program Includes

• 24/7 Dad™ parenting group
• Meals
• Access to Fairfax County resources
• Access to father-child friendly community activities

Characteristics of a 24/7 Dad™

• Self awareness
• Caring for self
• Fathering skills
• Parenting skills
• Relationship skills

12 Sessions and One Orientation Meeting - Free for all participants!

Dads Parenting Group
Available Online

• Mondays, May 4-August 3

Dads Parenting Group in Spanish
Available Online

• Wednesdays, April 15-July 8

Pre-registration is required. Call Bennie Herron 703-324-7308, Mercedes Alonzo 703-324-7677 (Spanish) or Champana Bernard 703-324-3611.

Volunteer to help teach the Dads Parenting Classes!

Podcast - County Conversation - Dads and Parenting

DFS staff, Marcus Garr of the Parenting Education Programs and Bennie Herron of the Father Engagement Program made a joint appearance on the June 5, County Conversation podcast with host Jim Person to talk about dads! Listen to their conversation to learn how each program’s classes and other services help dads to embrace their role in the family and parent with confidence! Tune in to the interview through the SoundCloud podcast.