Program Description

About Our Study

PAPÁS is part of a study funded by the California Office of Child Abuse Prevention researching the best ways to help fathers participate in their families and communities. Research shows that when dads or other father figures participate in children’s lives those kids do better in school, have less legal troubles, better problem-solving skills and reduced teen pregnancy among many other positive outcomes. In addition, fathers report more satisfaction at work, greater self-esteem and better overall health.

Traditionally organizations have, consciously or not, aimed their services at mothers. PAPÁS hopes to change the culture in Family Resource Centers so that dads feel more welcome and are recognized as equally important members of the community and their families.

PAPÁS started recruiting families in Watsonville in January 2004, out of La Manzana Community Resource Center. Since then we've teamed up with Live Oak Family Resource Center, Mountain Community Resource Center, Davenport Family Resource Center and the Beach Flats Community Resource Center to open the study up to families living in North County.

Benefits

During the 18 months participation with PAPAS project our families will receive the following services and resources:

• They will have a Family Worker to help achieve families' goals and connect to services and resources in community.
• Participants will each Receive a $400($200 mom and $200 dad) stipend for completing a questionnaire three times over the course of 18 months.
• Participating in PAPÁS is also a great way to meet other parents in the area and build up a support network. There'll be plenty of fun events to get to know them and stay in touc.
• Regardless of which group a family is assigned to, parents will learn a great deal about parenting and the importance of dads in their family and community.

Research has already found that when dads participate in the lives of their children, there are benefits for fathers, mothers and the children.

• Dads self-esteem, overall health and work satisfaction are improved.
• Moms experience less depression, poverty and stress.
• Children are better in socializaing, reach developmental milestones on time, receive better grades in school and experience less problems with the criminal justice system.

The hope of this study is to better understand how ot engage fathers in community services, particularly at family resource centers. In addition, the outcome of this study may effect how family resource centers and community agencies receive future funding.

How the program works

Familes are randomly assigned to one of the following groups:

1. Dads only attend 12 weekly 2½ hour groups covering the following topics: the importance of dads, community resources, couples communication, taking care of oneself and three generations.
2. Both parents attend 12 weekly 2½ hour groups covering the following topics: the importance of dads, community resources, couples communication, taking care of oneself and three generations.

For all groups, childcare, food and assistance with coordinating transportation are provided for free.

Criteria for participation

Since PAPÁS is a reserach study, there are certain requirements families must meet to participate.

We ask that:

• Both parents want to and are able to participate for the full 18 months.
• Both parents actively want to co-parent their child; (you don't have to be married or living together)
• You have at least one biological child aged 11 or under.
• There is no:
  • Current CPS involvement,
  • Severe substance abuse,
  • Severe mental health problems nor
  • Domestic violence

If you come to PAPAS and don't qualify for the program, we'll help you find other community services that may be of use to you.