Chatham County Public Health Department
Anthony Izzard and Nellie Benitez
Family Support
Empowering fathers to grow as nurturing parents and confident leaders through meaningful connection, skill-building, and individualized support.
Fostering strong father-child relationships by creating spaces for learning, bonding, and personal growth.
How is it going?
The program is going well and continues to make a meaningful impact on families through strong community partnerships and effective service delivery. During the holidays, generous donations from Holy Trinity Church and Chatham Safe Kids ensured that 22 children received gifts, including clothing, toys, and bike helmets, which was deeply appreciated by participating fathers. The program’s curriculum, intake forms, and referral partnerships with DSS and other agencies have been especially effective in identifying fathers’ unique parenting needs and connecting them to appropriate community resources. Being located within the health department further strengthens access to additional services, supporting fathers and families in a comprehensive and coordinated way.
Successes
Focus on Fathers Coordinator Nellie Benitez shares a story about a young father enrolled this year:
“I enrolled a new father that was referred to me through a non-profit in Siler City. He is a young dad with a toddler and pregnant girlfriend. The father needed to know more about Chatham County since he just moved to Chatham. He was renting when I first started working with him and needed to find a new place to live. The father also needed a car seat for his toddler and for the baby they are expecting. The dad had recently had issues with court because his child was not in a car seat. I provided guidance for finding employment for the father, helped them receive free car seats that were correctly installed, provided car seat safety education, and a helped the family find a new place to stay.
I signed up the father for the Focus on Fathers services and helped him with filling out all required forms. He filled out the AAPI questionnaire and helped me to understand his parenting needs. The father has started one-on-one parenting classes. I also provided him with a letter stating that he now has appropriate car seats. After I helped him with some employment applications, he was hired at a business in Siler City. He was eventually able to find an apartment in Siler to rent and moved in with his family. This fall they welcomed their baby girl. The father continues to do one on one parenting sessions with me to become a better father for his children.”
Focus on Fathers coaches have provided intensive support to 17 fathers this year!
38 children have benefitted from the positive parenting learned by our fathers!
| Goal: 20 fathers participate in a group or family activity Current Total: 17 fathers/85% | Goal on Track |
| Goal: 20 fathers receive individual support services Current total: 17 fathers/85% | Goal on Track |
| Goal: Fathers communicate with coordinators an average of three times a month Current total: 3x per month/100% | Goal on Track |
Fathers usually stay enrolled in the program for more than a year, so we are including this year and to date overall attendance for fathers served this year.
