Fostering Connections with Young Fathers

Strong support for first-time dads helps families build stability, confidence, and connection from the start.

The impact of Healthy Families Massachusetts shows up in the numbers: a 35 percent reduction in secondary reports of child abuse and neglect, according to a study by Tufts University. The program matches first-time parents with trained professionals who visit families’ homes to provide support during pregnancy and the child’s first three years of life. Home visitors partner with parents to better understand baby care, promote nurturing and attachment, identify and reduce stressors, and practice effective parenting strategies. They also counsel parents on achieving personal goals such as continuing education or securing or improving employment. Home visitors work equally with moms and dads and receive training and support to help engage dads in the program.  

A few years ago, the Healthy Families program in Boston was featured on WCVB’s 5 for Good for its incredible work incorporating dads into the program. The impact of that work can be seen through the stories of first-time dads like Nate Parilla and Enijah Mclean. Nate, who lived in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, felt plenty of nerves as a first-time father to his young son. His father had died when he was 12 years old, so Nate said he had nobody to model fatherhood to him.  

Knowing that Children’s Trust Director of Home Visiting Steven Pascal was available to answer his questions — even via a call or text on weekends — eased his initial worries about becoming a parent.  

Enijah became a dad during the pandemic, in the middle of stay-at-home orders. Healthy Families helped him feel less alone as he navigated those first months of parenthood. 

The Children’s Trust partners with local organizations to implement Healthy Families Massachusetts within their community. Healthy Families Massachusetts is accredited through Healthy Families America and is part of the Children’s Trust network of programs that help families thrive. 

About the 30 for 30 Fatherhood Series  

This story is part of 30 Stories for 30 Years, marking 30 years of the Children’s Trust Fatherhood Initiative. The series highlights how professionals and organizations across Massachusetts support father involvement, healthy co-parenting, and stronger parenting partnerships as part of upstream prevention.