Highlighting the Difference Men Make in Head Start

LCCAA Head Start is engaging dads and father figures with a variety of new activities this school year.

Family Service Assistants’ Supervisor Diana Riffe and staff at Griswold Head Start lead the Men Making a Difference initiative to provide support and opportunities to network with monthly meetings and more.

“We know men want to be engaged and positively impact their children,” Riffe said. “We also want them to flourish in their own personal development and growth.”

“As dads, we just want to be heard and seen,” said Assistant Teacher Terrence Helm-Morris who has worked at Griswold for about a year and had two children complete Head Start.

Riffe said having a male teacher has really helped and given all staff a catalyst to examine how they can make dads feel more welcome in the LCCAA Head Start centers.

Efforts have included posting more photos with dads in them and bringing dads in as mystery readers in classrooms. Connections have already started forming. One dad helped another with Christmas gifts for his children after the December meeting. Another father of three girls expressed that, after a meeting, he “finally feels welcome” in the center.

Although meetings are currently held at the Griswold Head Start Center, they are open to all fathers, grandfathers and father figures (including moms!) in the life of LCCAA Head Start children. Organizers are open to meeting at other centers in rotation.

“The hope is to get more males engaged in the program,” said Family Engagement Specialist Maria Vasquez. “The more dads are involved, the more parenting skills will improve and they will have more access to resources and build relationships.”

To learn more, contact your family service assistant.