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.
“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.”
Efforts have included celebrating International Men’s Day last November where Griswold fathers were “clapped in” to the building. Events throughout the county highlighted the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities as well as raising awareness of men’s well-being.
“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. Riffe, Morris and Family Service Assistant Dana Daniels said most schools assume mothers will do most of the communicating and child-rearing. That’s neither fair nor realistic, they say.
“Dads have a very different point of view,” Riffe said, noting that she saw a difference in her own children as a single mother.
The first meeting drew 15 men, the December meeting 17 and staff hopes for 20 at the January 29 meeting. 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.”
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. Three dads volunteered to scoop ice cream at the Griswold Sundaes on Sunday event just before Christmas. And they were good sports when asked to wear elf costumes, Riffe said.
Daniels – who Riffe and Vasquez credit with bringing energy to the program – is working to bring in speakers and resources. Donations of promotional items from local businesses or coupons are also appreciated.
“We have created a safe place for men to share, collaborate, network and be involved in their child’s education journey as well as their personal development and growth,” Daniels said.
Elyria Mayor Kevin Brubaker will speak at the Jan. 29 meeting. In February, the group will hear from Chase Farris, executive director of Save our Children, Elyria Catholic High School football coach and former Head Start student. Kenneth Glynn from Lorain County Community College adult outreach/workforce solutions will be the March 19 speaker.
Meetings are held at Griswold Head Start, 631 Griswold Road, Elyria, at 8:45 a.m.
To learn more, contact your Family Service Assistant.
