JUDSON CENTER LAUNCHES FATHERHOOD PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND REDUCE RISK FACTORS
Farmington Hills, MI – It’s June, and the spotlight is on men as the nation celebrates Father’s Day and observes Men’s Health Month. Nonprofit human service agency Judson Center is committed to lifting up men through its new Fatherhood Program.
The initiative, which is funded through a contract with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), provides support and resources to fathers in Wayne County who are involved in the child welfare system. The goal is to reduce the risk of out-of-home placement or the intervention of Child Protective Services.
“Judson Center and its affiliate, Child Safe Michigan, are committed to improving outcomes for children and families,” said Judson Center Chief Strategy Officer George Winn. “Our Fatherhood Program works with fathers and male caregivers to strengthen the family unit and reduce risk factors. We want to change the negative narrative surrounding fathers and provide a safe space for the men to address systemic barriers.”
The Judson Center Fatherhood Program focuses on improving the fathers’ engagement and co-parenting skills, building positive relationships with their children, promoting mental and physical health, and offering practical support such as childcare, transportation or employment resources.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 18.2 million children — about 1 in 4 — live in a home without a biological, step, or adoptive father. Research links the absence of fathers to a higher poverty risk, educational challenges, behavioral and mental health issues, crime and incarceration, and health risks among children.
“Here in Michigan, 34-percent of our children live in a single parent household,” said Winn. “Many human services programs are geared toward mothers and don’t address the vital role of fathers and male caregivers. Research shows that children with involved dads are more likely to have successful outcomes such as better school performance, the avoidance of alcohol and substance abuse, and a thriving economic and social status.”
The men taking part in Judson Center’s Fatherhood Program are referred through MDHHS or are active in the agency’s Family Preservation programs that focus on keeping the family unit intact. For more information, visit www.judsoncenter.org.
About Judson Center
Judson Center, trusted by Michigan families for more than 100 years, is a non-profit human service agency providing expert, comprehensive services that strengthen children, adults and families impacted by abuse and neglect, autism, and developmental, behavioral and physical health challenges so they can achieve whole health, well-being, and maximum potential. Since opening its doors in 1924, Judson Center has grown to change the lives of more than 13,000 children, adults, and families each year. Judson Center has offices in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne, Genesee, and Jackson counties. Judson Center’s headquarters are located at 30301 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100, Farmington Hills, MI 48334-3277. Learn more at www.judsoncenter.org.