{ Championing Fatherhood }

Educating and inspiring practitioners and staff in human service organizations.

Most Recent Fatherhood Posts

Melissa Byers

Melissa Byers

Melissa Byers is Chief Marketing Officer for National Fatherhood Initiative®. She lives in South Carolina.

Recent Posts

30 Ways to Recruit Dads into Fatherhood Programs

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Aug 6, 2024
Struggling to attract dads to your fatherhood program? Feeling stuck? Doing okay, but want more dads to enroll? Review this... Read More

Topics: fatherhood research, Featured, General Fatherhood Program Resources, NFI-Specific Programs & Resources, Program Recruitment & Retention, Tips & Tricks, Recruit & Retain Dads

Fatherhood Research and Statistics Abound in Father Facts™ 9 [+ FREE Related Resources!]

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Mar 21, 2024
As more studies are conducted over the years, we gain a better understanding of the positive impact that an involved father can... Read More

Topics: fatherhood statistics, fatherhood research, Father Facts, Featured, General Fatherhood Program Resources, NFI-Specific Programs & Resources, General Fatherhood Research & Studies, Tips & Tricks

A New Look at Marriage: 2 Resources that May Change Your Mind and the Minds of the Families You Serve [Free Resource + New Book]

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Jan 24, 2024
Marriage can be a tricky subject in this day and age. With society and Hollywood touting the benefits of singleness and... Read More

Topics: fatherhood program planning, fatherhood facilitators, father engagement, Featured, General Fatherhood Program Resources, Tips & Tricks

Addressing Criminogenic Needs: The Impact of NFI's InsideOut Dad® Program

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Oct 3, 2023
Have you ever heard the term “criminogenic needs?” For many partners of National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI) who work with... Read More

Topics: children of incarcerated fathers, programs for incarcerated dads, evidence-based InsideOut Dad, Featured, General Fatherhood Program Resources, NFI-Specific Programs & Resources, InsideOut Dad®

Boosting Dads' Participation: Keeping Dads Engaged in Fatherhood Programs

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Sep 7, 2023
Programs aimed at dads are pivotal in equipping fathers with essential child-rearing skills. They also provide an opportunity for... Read More

Topics: fatherhood program planning, fatherhood facilitators, father engagement, Featured, General Fatherhood Program Resources, Program Recruitment & Retention, Tips & Tricks

[Fatherhood Program Activity Idea] Holding On and Letting Go

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Feb 8, 2023
When I saw the recent blog posted by NFI Partner Operation New Hope, I was intrigued by this simple yet powerful activity they... Read More

Topics: incarcerated fathers, Featured, General Fatherhood Program Resources, handling emotion

Trauma-Informed Care for Fathers and Families [Training + Free Resource]

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Nov 9, 2022
Working with fathers and families often requires a multi-faceted approach. Diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences demand... Read More

Topics: Featured, General Fatherhood Program Resources, NFI-Specific Programs & Resources, General Fatherhood Research & Studies, NFI News & Updates, trauma-informed approach, trauma-informed care

Request for Applications: InsideOut Dad® Expansion Project

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Sep 27, 2022
National Fatherhood Initiative®(NFI) seeks applications from organizations that want to start or expand the evidence-based... Read More

Topics: programs for incarcerated dads, Featured, NFI-Specific Programs & Resources, NFI News & Updates, Fundraising & Grants

[Free Resources] Share the Success Sequence With Families You Serve

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Aug 16, 2022
A few weeks ago, I posted a blog that highlighted the most recent findings on how the success sequence is effective for young... Read More

Topics: research, Featured, general fatherhood resources, the success sequence, benefits of marriage, high school education, work full time, overcoming poverty, marrying before having children

New Data Finds the “Success Sequence” Effective Across Every Demographic

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Jul 26, 2022
The “Success Sequence,” formula involves three steps for young adults: get at least a high school education work full time ... Read More

Topics: research, Featured, general fatherhood resources, the success sequence, benefits of marriage, high school education, work full time, overcoming poverty, marrying before having children

ALERT: Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Groundbreaking Legislation to Support Involved Fatherhood in Florida

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Apr 15, 2022
This article was originally published by the office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and is republished here with permission. ... Read More

Topics: child well-being, fatherhood work, child development, Featured, General Fatherhood Program Resources, New Dads & Hospitals

Get Ahead of Child Abuse by Using This Free Conversation Guide with Families You Serve

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Apr 12, 2022
Preventing child abuse is something we can all agree on. Children being treated poorly by a parent, caregiver, or someone in... Read More

Topics: child well-being, fatherhood work, child development, Featured, General Fatherhood Program Resources, New Dads & Hospitals

[Free FRPN Webinar] Tracking State Policies on Fathers to Improve Policy Development and Equity

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Feb 8, 2022
This webinar will introduce Policies and Programs Affecting Fathers: A State-by-State Report, a new compilation prepared by the... Read More

Topics: child support, fatherhood research, child welfare, Featured, General Fatherhood Research & Studies, State & Local Agencies

Give this One Thing to New Dads to Bring Them in Right from the Start

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Jan 19, 2022
Oh, the joys of being a new dad. There are all of immediate things parents must learn like feeding, changing, and caring for a... Read More

Topics: child well-being, fatherhood work, child development, Featured, General Fatherhood Program Resources, NFI-Specific Programs & Resources, New Dads & Hospitals

[Free Webinar] Men’s Health and Fatherhood: What Do Dads Need to Know?

Posted by Melissa Byers   |   Sep 14, 2021
Men's health is a very important topic in NFI’s fatherhood programs 24/7 Dad® and InsideOut Dad®. There’s no doubt that healthy... Read More

Topics: Featured, General Fatherhood Research & Studies

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