Oklahoma Human Services Champions Fatherhood, Funds ‘Strong Dads’ Programs Statewide

(OKLAHOMA CITY) Nov. 13, 2024 – Seven months after Oklahoma Human Services’ Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program received a $9 million federal grant to support fatherhood programs across the state, more than 767 fathers have enrolled in a fatherhood program and 336 have graduated.

Aimed at increasing men’s involvement in family life, ten fatherhood programs located across the state in both suburban and rural areas provide fathers with the knowledge and skills needed to improve relationships, economic stability, and the parent-child connection.

Research has concluded that active father involvement is associated with a wide range of positive outcomes for children, co-parents, families, and communities. The evidence-based fatherhood programs implemented through these investments help men actively engage in their children’s lives and identify and use resources to benefit their own lives.

Fatherhood programs typically last for 12 weeks and offer one two-hour class per week that includes a complimentary dinner for participants and a gas stipend.

Through the grant, Oklahoma Human Services funds the following ten programs at a maximum amount of $300,000 per year for up to three years:

• OSU Cooperative Extension Fatherhood Programs in
  • Kay County
  • Oklahoma Count
  • Carter County
  • Creek County
  • Garfield County
  • Muskogee County
  • Payne County
  • Rogers County
  • Tulsa County
• University of Oklahoma through University Outreach Center for Public Management "Forge Your Trail" Fatherhood Program

“We know that 17.8 million children in the United States, nearly 1 in 4, live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home,” said Natasha Robinson, Oklahoma Human Services Deputy Director of Adult and Family Services. “We believe we can turn those numbers in Oklahoma around and that programs like these are making that possible.”

Enrollment in fatherhood programs is ongoing. To enroll in one of OSU’s Cooperative Extension Fatherhood programs visit https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/family-and-consumer-sciences/strong-dads/join.html To enroll in The University of Oklahoma’s On My Shoulders fatherhood program visit https://fyt.oucpm.org/.

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Media Contacts:
Ryan Stewart, Oklahoma Human Services, DDS Communications Administrator
405-549-9188
Ryan.Stewart@okdhs.org

Natalie Wright, Candor
405-313-1153
natalie@candorpr.com