What is Fatherhood Matters?

The Fatherhood Matters Program includes parenting programs and services for fathers. The program recognizes that children and youth grow within the context of their family, culture, and community.

The safety, development and well-being of children and youth are best supported through holistic approaches that are community and family focused and involve fathers. The program supports the enhancement of promotive and protective factors and the reduction of and/or mitigation of risk factors that impact fathers, their children, and families.

The term fathers’ refers to individuals who identify as men and provide parenting to a child/children within the context of family or a parenting partnership. This includes biological fathers, social fathers (i.e., men undertaking the role of father such as stepfathers, foster fathers, boyfriends, or partners), expectant fathers, and father figures, such as uncles and grandfathers.