SUMMER 2008 IN THIS ISSUE A Message from our President & CEO (2)… Advocating for Pennsylvanians to Breathe a Little Easier (3)… A PA Public Health Institute (3)… Love Thy Neighbor, Heal Thyself? (4)… Summer Training (5)… Treatment Court Celebrates 11 years (5)… Commited to the Environment (5)… A New Path to Recovery for Women (7)
’s
DIRECTIONS Philadelphia Gets Focused on Fatherhood
“
Fathers want to take an active parenting
Focus on Fathers. “After joining Focus on
role in the lives of their children, and
thers like Job since it began in 1997. The
Fathers I was more than happy.” Focus on Fathers has been helping faonly federally-funded fatherhood program in Philadelphia, Focus on Fathers is also fund-
should be supported in their efforts.”
ed through the Philadelphia Department of Human Services Parenting Collaborative. In addition to helping fathers with cus-
F
tody issues, Focus on Fathers provides
ocus on Fathers Case Manager Larry
met in the middle of Job’s custody troubles.
citywide weekly parenting classes. “Our
Woody knows parenting. For the first
“I started fighting for more time with my
program is one of the few places where men
three years of his son’s life, Woody
daughter six months after she was born,”
can come together as fathers and engage
served as the primary caretaker. He learned
notes Job, “and it’s been going back and
in parenting issues,” says Sulaiman Wood,
the basics of childhood development first-
forth ever since.”
who has been working with Focus on Fa-
hand as he fed, diapered and played with
Both Job and Woody know the frustra-
thers for more than six years and is now
his son. “I just had a knack for parenting,”
tion fathers can face in family court. A cus-
its project manager. Jeanne Ciocca, ex-
he says. “I was an educated man but I was
tody-battle veteran himself, Woody helped
ecutive director of RCH, agrees. “Too often,
also a stay-at-home dad.”
Job to gain more court-allocated time with
services for men do not focus on parenting
Now, Woody brings that same parent-
his daughter. “Fathers deserve the same
or fatherhood, but instead focus on employ-
ing knowledge to fathers in the Focus on
chance as mothers,” says Woody. “Kids
ment, child support or legal issues. Focus
Fathers program, one of the many posi-
need both parents. If fathers aren’t there,
on Fathers operates in a unique way,” says
tive and supportive parenting programs of
kids are missing half the picture!”
Ciocca. “[We] start with the premise that
PHMC affiliate Resources for Children’s
Woody’s commitment to his clients is un-
fathers want to take an active parenting
Health. Woody helps fathers like 24-year
wavering. Each father he works with has
role in the lives of their children, and should
old Job* spend more quality time with their
Woody’s cell phone number and can reach
be supported in their efforts to do so.”
children. A single father, Job shares equal
him at any time. “I will go through the
Woody believes the best part of Focus on
custody of a daughter he adores. “It’s the
fire for these guys,” he says. “They need
Fathers is the impact it has on children’s
little things that you appreciate,” he says
someone who will empathize with them
lives. “It’s about the child always,” he says.
of his daughter, “like walking her to school,
in a real way.” The fathers in the program
“Kids do better when the father is involved.
or the first time she tied her shoe.”
acknowledge Woody’s dedication. “Woody
Everybody benefits, society benefits.”
“Job is a good guy,” recalls Woody. “He’s
goes beyond just helping me in court,” says
become a great father.” The two men
Job, who tried various groups before finding
*Last name withheld by request a publication of
PUBLIC HEALTH
management corporation