What We Learned from Fatherhood Programming
What community organizations across Massachusetts learned about creating programs where fathers can connect, learn, and strengthen relationships with their children.
Fathers want opportunities to connect with their children, learn from other fathers, and find support within their communities. Yet programming designed specifically for fathers remains limited, particularly outside structured parent education programs.
The Children’s Trust saw an opportunity to help community organizations close that gap. Using a blend of funding sources, we supported organizations across Massachusetts in testing and expanding different approaches to fatherhood programming.
The goal was not to create a single model. It was to learn what helps organizations reach fathers, support them in their parenting roles, and build relationships that can continue beyond one program or funding cycle.
Creating more pathways for fathers to connect
The Children’s Trust began by funding six-week father-child group series and Nurturing Fathers groups. The father-child series created opportunities for fathers and children to spend time together through play, shared activities, and community events. Nurturing Fathers offered a more structured curriculum focused on parenting skills, relationships, communication, and personal growth.
We then introduced an incubator grant that allowed organizations to propose programming based on the interests and needs of the fathers they served. This led to a wider range of approaches, including culturally grounded parent education, mental health story times, support for fathers of children with disabilities, faith-based programming, and father-child events.
In the spring, the Children’s Trust continued working with six organizations to build on their earlier programming and apply what they had learned.
Across these efforts, the groups shared several goals:
- Build fathers’ confidence in their parenting roles.
- Strengthen relationships between fathers and children.
- Create supportive connections among fathers.
- Connect fathers with community resources and other programs.
- Help organizations strengthen their father-inclusive practices.
- Create welcoming spaces where fathers and children could spend time together.
- Giving organizations room to shape their programming was essential. Partners could adjust schedules, activities, outreach, and group formats based on what they heard directly from fathers.
What the participation data tells us
During FY26, partner organizations reported 155 group sessions involving 285 fathers and 270 children.
Survey feedback was also strong. Of the fathers who answered whether they would recommend the program, 101 of 103 said yes. Fathers described the groups as opportunities to spend focused time with their children, meet other dads, learn about available resources, and talk openly about parenting challenges.
One father said the program gave him “a great way to connect with other families” while helping his daughter have fun and become more comfortable with others. For another father whose daughter was having a hard time adjusting to the new baby, this group provided Dad and daughter with much needed one-on-one bonding time. Others emphasized how valuable it was to meet fathers facing similar questions and experiences.
The experiences shared by partners show how that connection translated into everyday family life. One father changed how he responded when his children talked back, replacing yelling with calmer communication. Another father and his partner decided to begin couples therapy after a group discussion about communication. Fathers of children with disabilities used their sessions to prepare for upcoming school meetings and support one another through the process.
Flexibility matters, but relationships drive participation
The programming helped identify several factors that contribute to successful fatherhood groups.
Organizations that already had relationships with fathers were generally more successful with recruitment and retention. Groups were also stronger when participants shared another point of connection, such as culture, faith, location, or the experience of parenting a child with a disability.
Organizations recruiting from a broader community faced greater challenges. Partners found that direct outreach from a trusted staff member, recommendations from family and friends, and referrals from local childcare providers were more effective than general promotion alone.
Scheduling also mattered. Weeknight groups beginning between 5:30 and 6:30 pm, as well as late-morning or afternoon weekend sessions, often drew stronger attendance. Some organizations surveyed fathers after programming began and adjusted their schedules in response.
These lessons show that flexibility should extend beyond the content of a group. Organizations need enough time and funding to recruit participants, build trust, adjust plans, and respond to what fathers say they need.
Building stronger fatherhood programming
The groups demonstrated that fatherhood programming can take many forms. Some fathers want a structured parenting curriculum. Others may be more comfortable beginning with an activity alongside their children, a culturally familiar setting, or a conversation with other fathers who share similar experiences.
Community organizations also need support as they develop this work. New partners benefited from planning assistance, implementation calls, regular check-ins, and opportunities to talk through challenges. The findings point to the value of dedicated coaching, practical implementation tools, shared learning among organizations, and better systems for collecting participation and outcome data.
The statewide need for father-specific programming remains. This work provides a clearer picture of how the Children’s Trust and its partners can respond.
When organizations make a real effort to include fathers, fathers show up. Supporting trusted community partners gives them the flexibility to create programs that help dads connect with their children, meet other fathers, and find support close to home.
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.
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