Dads Evoking Change

few reasons we do the work

In the US, a mix of historical, racial and economic inequalities prevents many dads of color and other low income fathers from fulfilling their paternal roles. Some parents including fathers are unwilling to embrace their parental obligations. However, our social policies should not treat ALL low-income, and fathers of color as deadbeat dads, nor suggest this is the norm or adopt this belief as the default position that should be assumed with respect to dads.

Most policy discussions of fatherhood often focus on the question of child support, but our common policies and practices ignore equally important non-financial factors. For example, policies and practices marginalize the caregiving roles of non-custodial fathers care-giving roles by excluding them from key educational and health-related decisions about their children. These policies and practices reinforce the myth that black fathers are not present in their children’s lives when CDC data show that they desire the exact opposite.

Many studies have been done on the value of shared parenting and its positive effects on children, including emotional stability, academic success and significant reductions in drug use and juvenile delinquency. Although some situations do not make this outcome possible for all children based on factors outside of their control, shared parenting should be California's starting point for the vast majority of our children.

Don't forget dads during this global health emergency

Many fathers, custodial and non-custodial, have been affected by the quarantine. Some have been furloughed and cannot meet their parental obligations, some need help for groceries so they can feed their family until the end of the week, and some just had their only life line, the stimulus check taken because of unpaid child support. Join DEC in raising funds for the for Dads in Alameda County, and building our programs capacity to serve more fathers. Promote positive parenting by supporting fathers in need. No donation is too small!

We are currently in the development stage (501c3 Pending). In the meantime we are working on:

1) Gathering & assessing data

2) Identifying which programs produces impact

3) Developing a plan to sustain successful components

In the meantime please visit our resource tab for links to legal help, Alameda County Court forms, and register for our monthly Dads Chat's to join our online seminars.