Human services leaders are calling for family support systems to better recognize the role of fathers and non-birthing parents in improving outcomes for children and families. The Kresge Foundation’s Human Services Program is highlighting this issue by supporting partners in Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit and Alameda County, California, that are working to make fathers more visible and included in family services.
The effort emphasizes that fathers are often overlooked in maternity care, early childhood services and family support programs. According to Dr. Craig Garfield of Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, fathers are frequently left out of conversations during prenatal visits and newborn care, even though small actions by providers can signal whether they are welcome and valued.
One key effort helping to change this approach is PRAMS for Dads, which collects data on fathers’ experiences during the transition to parenthood. By gathering information on fathers’ mental health, early engagement and the impact of policies such as paid family leave, the initiative is helping policymakers and service providers better understand family needs from the beginning.
In Baltimore, the Center for Urban Families was created to address the gap in support for fathers. Its work shows how many fathers want to be involved but face systems that are often designed around mothers and children without offering meaningful help to men. The organization is also improving how data is collected from fathers so that surveys are more accessible, respectful and useful for shaping policy and practice.
Across communities, father-friendly practices are gaining attention as a way to improve existing systems. These approaches focus on building trust, recognizing fathers as essential caregivers, creating welcoming environments and holding systems accountable for supporting the whole family.
Partners such as First 5 Alameda County and COTS Detroit are also working to shift assumptions about fathers. In Detroit, the COTS Fatherhood Initiative is creating regular spaces where fathers can connect with one another and strengthen relationships with their children.
Despite growing awareness, many fathers still face barriers to engagement, including exclusion from health care settings, limited paid parental leave and uncertainty about caring for newborns. Experts note that when fathers are supported early, they are more likely to build confidence, remain involved and contribute positively to family well-being.
Research highlighted by Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago shows that father involvement is linked to earlier prenatal care, greater use of postnatal care, longer breastfeeding duration, lower levels of maternal depression and improved child development outcomes.
The growing focus on father-inclusive support reflects a broader shift toward whole-family and two-generation approaches. Organizations including COTS Detroit, the Center for Urban Families, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine and First 5 Alameda County are showing how intentional father engagement can strengthen families, improve child outcomes and create more responsive human services systems.
