NEWSLETTER | January 2021
|
|
New from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse!
|
|
2021 is here—what better time to reflect on the new year and setting new goals! While the pandemic is still keeping us close to home, now is a good time to think about lessons learned this past year and what we can do to make 2021 a great year for dads and the programs that serve them.
Specifically, we will address both the importance of mentoring and the impact of human trafficking on our communities.
First, let us talk about mentoring. As you think about your goals for this year, we encourage you to consider mentoring someone and/or connecting with a mentor for your personal and professional growth. In the “For Dads” section, we have included resources on mentoring, including ways to serve as a mentor. Second, let us delve into human trafficking. As we mentioned earlier, January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month; this is a great time to tap into the resources we provide in this newsletter to have a conversation with family members, friends, and colleagues about those experiencing enslavement and those who have escaped, as well as how to recognize signs of trafficking. Although slavery is commonly thought to be a thing of the past, human traffickers generate hundreds of billions of dollars in profits by trapping and enslaving millions of people in horrific situations around the world, including here in the United States. So, this month we provide dads and programs with resources on mentoring, as well as human trafficking. We will also provide some guidance around the connection between mentoring and other positive relationships and their impact on survivors of human trafficking.
|
|
Become a Mentor to Children or Other Fathers
To highlight National Mentoring Month and the importance of mentoring, here are some tips and resources for dads on being a good mentor not only to your children but to others as well. Whether you are interested in becoming a mentor to other children or dads, or simply becoming a better mentor and role model to your own children, learning more about mentoring and ways to find a trustworthy program are important first steps. These articles from the NRFC can help you become a great mentor to your children and to others.
Maybe you have a passion or calling to mentor other fathers? This article provides great advice from a father on how to mentor other fathers. Parents as Mentors: A New Perspective on Parenting that can Change Your Child's Life provides strategies for parents to use to mentor their children's development. It includes tips and resources on the importance of discovering the talents of a child, what is meant by mentoring, and using everyday activities for mentoring opportunities. In addition to all the benefits that we have outlined, mentoring can help children and teens understand the dangers of human trafficking as well as positively impact survivors. In a report compiled by the Youth Collaboratory, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and Wichita State University, one of the most salient outcomes was that “survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) need specialized mentoring services that are victim-centered and trauma-informed. When done well, mentoring can be transformational, providing a model for healthy relationships and increasing positive educational, social, and emotional outcomes.”
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January—National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month—is an opportunity for a deeper dive into what human trafficking looks like and to discuss common grooming tactics survivors have experienced. Take time this month to learn how young children are lured into trafficking and what you can do as a dad to help keep your children safe. Children’s lack of awareness about human trafficking can put them in danger. Especially since children are increasing online and may navigate to sites or platforms that traffickers may target. Social media especially has become a hotbed for recruiting and priming children for human trafficking. So, it is imperative that parents have conversations with their children consistently and mentor them through the process of understanding the tactics that traffickers use both in-person and online. A great starting point is this resource, which provides age-appropriate guidance on talking to your child about being aware and staying safe.
|
|
Having family challenges? Looking for resources? Contact our National Fatherhood Call Center and get connected to the Parent Helpline- 1.877.4DAD411
#Dadication #ConnectingDad #fatherhoodgov #fatherhood.
|
|
This month, we highlight resources on effective mentoring programs as well as resources on helping to educate fathers on human trafficking.
The National Fatherhood Initiative published an eBook that provides programs with guidance on Identifying fathers who need a mentor, relationship building, and activity ideas for fathers.
|
|
Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring™, details research-informed and practitioner-approved standards for creating and sustaining quality youth mentoring programs and, consequently, impactful mentoring relationships. The National Mentoring Resource Center provides a collection of mentoring handbooks, curricula, manuals, and other resources that practitioners can use to implement and further develop program practices.
|
|
Disclaimer: Reference to specific products, services, or companies does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), or the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse. ACF is not responsible for the contents of “off-site” web page references or for any private, third-party, pop-up, or browser-integrated software or applications.
|
|
Upcoming Events
NRFC is monitoring events and will update our website and in newsletters if events are canceled.
|
|
Our Mission: The goals of the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse are to provide, facilitate, and disseminate current research and proven and innovative strategies that will encourage and strengthen fathers and families and providers of services.
Our Resources: Visit the NRFC website for fatherhood topics and tools, news, and new publications, which can be found through the NRFC online library search.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|