National Fatherhood Initiative

In 2007, Family Comes First was the proud recipient of a National Responsible Fatherhood Capacity-Building Initiative (NRFCBI) grant award.  Sponsored by the National Fatherhood Initiative and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Family Assistance, this grant program was designed to empower and equip community-based organizations in a number of ways.  The program assisted in strengthening organizational infrastructure; enhancing leadership; introducing grantees to best practices and evidenced-based programming; and, strengthening the awardees’ connections to the larger national fatherhood network.  By reinforcing organizations in these key areas, NRFCBI enhances the grantee’s capacity to provide services to local fathers and their families.

Through the grant relationship, FCF sponsored its “Men of Honor: Contenders for Our Families” conference; developed organizational fatherhood strategies; and strengthened its fatherhood connections.  Further, NRFCBI provided access to a comprehensive array of publications and research.

Since the its initial relationship as a grantee, Family Comes First has enjoyed an evolving, on-going relationship with NRFCBI.  Family Comes First is an avid supporter of the National Fatherhood Initiative and its organizational and programmatic strategies.  In partnership with NRFCBI, Family Comes First shares its own ‘lessons learned’ and provides technical support to father-focused organizations.  FCF’s relationship NFI and its partners has had a pivotal impact upon Family Comes First and its programmatic approach to father-supportive program design.  Consequently, Family Comes First is a passionate and effective provider of evidenced-based fatherhood strategies and programming for area leaders and organizations.