It is estimated that in the United States 24 million children (34 percent) live without their biological father. Locally, over 28 percent of the children living in Santa Cruz County are being raised in single parent families, and of those 3,281 are between the ages of 0 to 5. Children who live absent their biological fathers are, on average, at least two to three times more likely to be poor, to use drugs, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems, to be victims of child abuse, and to engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents.2 Clearly, fathers and father figures can play a critical role in raising healthy, happy children.

PAPÁS, Supporting Father Involvement (S.F.I.) is part of a state-wide study aiming to positively increase fathers' involvement in their family's lives. We offer fun and educational opportunities about the beneficial role of father figures in the family and community. We also run discussion-format workshops for fathers and couples as part of a study on how to effectively promote father involvement.

PAPÁS, SFI is a program committed to the promotion and enhancement of father involvement. The programÂ’s mission is to "honor and promote fathers & father figures through advocacy and education to support their roles in strengthening healthy family & community relationships." In 2003, Santa Cruz County had the opportunity to join four other small counties in the implementation of a program designed to reduce child abuse and neglect. The Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP) began exploring evidence based strategies that would lower child abuse rates by promoting awareness regarding the importance of fathers. The curriculum for the program was designed by research teams from Yale University and U.C .Berkeley. PAPÁS, SFI has provided parent education, case management, father involvement and father friendliness activities for five years.

This website is intended as a resource to learn about our study and support positive father involvement. If you or someone you know would like more information about us, get in touch! Visit our Staff link to learn how to get in touch with us or call the number below. PAPÁS Funded by Office of Child Abuse Prevention and it is a program of Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center (SCCCC) a 501(c) (3) charitable organization. Contributions are tax-deductible. For more information on how you can be a part of PAPÁS, SFI important work, please visit donation link.