Father Friendly Check-Up Case Studies:
PCC of Wichita, KS

Leadership Development

• Identified the rationale and intent of PCC’s fatherhood initiative.
• Identified PCC “persons of influence” who communicate with clients during visits:
  • PCC Board: Determines mission
  • PCC Staff: Implements mission
  • Client Advocates: First point of contact
• Completed the Father Friendly Check-Up™; compiled and analyzed results.
• Reviewed leaders’ and staff’s attitudes, beliefs, and values related to serving fathers.

Organizational Development

Policies, Procedures, and Processes

• Developed to intentionally seek to include fathers in every step of the client process.
• Trained staff and advocates in ways to engage the mother of the baby (MOB) about the father of the baby (FOB) in recognition of her “gatekeeper” role. Ways to engage include:
  • During initial phone call
  • Engaging dad in the lobby at time of pregnancy test
  • Written permission from the MOB to contact FOB
  • During follow-up contacts with MOB and FOB
• Implemented new father-friendly procedures, including those associated with:
• Asking for gender-based information during client intake
• Computer data entry
• Patient files
• Gender neutral personnel manual
• Male volunteer talking points
• Male counseling space
• Phone protocol for female and male clients
• Exit evaluations for all clients
• Follow-up calls with men after sonogram appointment

Staff Development and Training

• Conducted staff trainings on the following subjects:
  • Helped staff explore thoughts/motives concerning fathers (past history, control, revenge)
  • Differences between “mothering” and “fathering”
  • “Mom as Gateway” orientation for staff and volunteers (e.g. defined gatekeeping)
  • How to validate FOB as nurturer and protector
  • MOB’s influence on FOB—encouraging him to be responsible and committed
  • Male volunteers on the Armor Up program.
  • NFI curricula Doctor Dad™ and 24/7 Dad™ Christian

Physical Environment

• Created a father-friendly lobby by:
  • Including reading material for men/fathers and fathering brochures
• Displayed photos of mothers, fathers, and infants where appropriate

Program Development

• Implemented the following fathering programs and resources:
  • Fathering brochures
  • Daddy Up program
  • Doctor Dad™ workshop
  • 24/7 Dad™ Christian program
• Developed a logo for Daddy Up program
• Added content specific to the needs of dads to individual counseling sessions.
• Implemented strategies to target moms in increasing father involvement including:
  • Helping MOB to explore her thoughts/motives concerning FOB (past history, control, revenge).
  • Educating MOB on the importance of FOB.
  • Implementing NFI’s Mom as Gateway™ workshop.

Community Engagement

• Increased collaboration and communication with existing community partners, including communicating about importance of fathers and PCC programs through:
  • Church bulletins.
  • Created posters of events to display in community.
• Wrote articles and letters to the editor of local newspaper.
• Conducted Doctor Dad™ workshops at the local juvenile Detention center.
• Secured speaking engagements at local events.
• Provided male intake forms to other PCCs.