Conference Abstract Compendium Examples from the ... - CityMatCH

2009 CityMatCH Urban MCH Leadership ConferenceGiving fathers ACCESS: Acknowledgement, cooperation, camaraderie, encouragement,skills and supportPRIMARY CONTACT:Judith Marie HillProgram DirectorOmaha Healthy Start - Fathers for aLifetime2915 Grant StreetOmaha, NE, 68111-3863Phone: (402) 457-1201Fax: (402) 455-7306Email: judithh@cdhcdmedical.comWebsite: CharlesDrewHCOmaha.orgCATEGORYMen in MCHFOCUSProgram Policy FocusCO-PRESENTER(S)/AUTHOR(S):Count Cook, MHR/LMHP,judithh@cdhcmedical.com (Presenter)CONTENTIt is imperative that MCH providers transform our reception of male involvement with the goal ofsupporting the meaningful inclusion and participation by men in all aspects of the health care deliverysystem to improve birth outcomes and the health and well-being of women and families.Fathers for a Lifetime (FFL) a program of Omaha Healthy Start (OHS) – an infant mortality initiativeserving men that reside in Greater Metropolitan Omaha, Nebraska. FFL operates with the fundamentalbelief that great strides toward improved MCH outcomes are linked to greater awareness about the impactof responsible fatherhood. Recognizing the impact an involved father has in the life of his child, FFLoffers custodial and non-custodial, expectant and incarcerated fathers, young men planning to becomefathers, and fathers of all ages an opportunity to share information, find support and network in a relaxedlearning environment.On August 2002, the first FFL ten-week educational session was held. The focus of each session is to linkfather involvement with improved birth outcomes, improved MCH statistics, elimination of disparities inthe MCH population, and increased knowledge about preconception health, and perinatal, pediatric andadolescent health.In 2003, the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) recognized FFL as an example of a best practice modelfor establishing a local fatherhood initiative. In 2004, FFL opened a Resource Office. The ResourceOffice provides one-on-one case management and care coordination to assist and support men in identifyappropriate resources for employment, housing, health care, continued education, resolution of childsupport issues, family mediation and child visitation.95