Engaging Fathers in Pregnancy Resource Centers: Criteria That Work

This past month, I had the privilege of presenting at A Caring Center for Women's (CCW’s) Celebrate Life ’26 Gala, which brought together over 200 stakeholders, community partners, and advocates committed to strengthening women and families. CCW is a comprehensive pregnancy resource center (PRC) in Vero Beach, Florida, led by Executive Director Gerri Rorick.

During my visit, I learned more about CCW’s values and commitment to serving its community in what they describe as a “nonjudgmental” way. CCW’s staff respects their client’s decisions (e.g., deciding whether to keep a pregnancy) and provides them with the reassurance that they are not alone during the perinatal time. Because many of their clients come from underserved and low-income communities, CCW is intentional about ensuring that every individual “feels seen, heard, and valued.”

Over the past two years, CCW has made amazing strides in father inclusion by serving 500 fathers and father-figures through their program and services. Their approach to serving fathers provides key criteria for proactively including both parents in PRCs.

Criteria for Including Fathers 

Leadership Commitment. Gerri Rorick acknowledges the importance of serving fathers and partnered with her board to secure father-inclusive funding. PRCs with leaders who recognize the importance of father-focused support—and commit to securing dedicated funding for that support—provides the foundation for including fathers effectively and sustainably.

Dedicated Staff. CCW has three dedicated staff members (i.e., one full-time and two part-time) who they refer to as “Dadvocates.” These staff members work to support the agency's father-inclusive efforts. For example, whenever a father is in the waiting room, a Dadvocate, will greet him, give him a tour of the agency, and begin building rapport. Having designated staff who proactively engage and include fathers helps ensure consistent outreach to both parents.

Father-Specific Resources. Dadvocate, Wayne Cherry, typically invites fathers to enroll in the 24:7 Dad® program, developed by National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), which CCW offers on most Saturdays and Sundays. Providing father-focused programs and other resources supports fathers in developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for their involvement during the pregnancy and beyond. NFI provides low-, medium-, and high-intensity fatherhood resources (e.g., brochures, posters, and programs) to help PRCs customize their father-inclusive offerings.

PRCs that prioritize leadership commitment, dedicated staff, and father-specific resources create stronger pathways for including fathers. These criteria help ensure fathers are prepared to actively support mothers throughout the pregnancy and post-birth.

What steps is your PRC taking to ensure fathers feel welcomed, prepared, and supported?

How intentionally is your PRC creating opportunities to include fathers as active participants in the pregnancy and parenting journey?