Maternal support in early childhood predicts larger hippocampal volumes at school age

Early maternal support has been shown to promote specific gene expression, neurogenesis, adaptive stress responses, and larger hippocampal volumes in developing animals. In humans, a relationship between psychosocial factors in early childhood and later amygdala volumes based on prospective data has been demonstrated, providing a key link between early experience and brain development.

To read the full article, go to
http://listserve.icfi.com/t/410347/524794/11308/0/

Father of the Year takes Talbert House project to heart

When Ronald Smith-Yisrael first enrolled in the Talbert House Fatherhood Project in May 2008, he was essentially homeless and trying to find food and shelter for his five children. This month, he’ll be honored as Father of the Year and help lead a new celebration of nurturing and loving fathers at Sawyer Point June 19.

Smith-Yisrael had just obtained physical custody of his children when he started 10 weeks of free classes called Nurturing Fathers.

To read more, click on link: http://www.soapboxmedia.com/forgood/060711talberthouse.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SoapboxMedia+(Soapbox+Media)&utm_content=FeedBurner

Goodwill’s NFP Helps Lead Dads Down the Road to Success

Goodwill believes every child deserves a good dad; a man who actively provides guidance, love and support for the children in his life. Through its Nurturing Fathers program Goodwill helps men develop the skills needed to be successful role models who support their families.

Participants learn positive discipline tools, effective family communication techniques, conflict resolution skills and how to achieve cooperation and teamwork in family life. 

To read more, click on link below:

http://www.goodwilldenver.org/content/goodwill%E2%80%99s-nurturing-father%E2%80%99s-programs-helps-lead-dads-down-road-success

Fathers Change Their Lives

   Sunday’s event congratulated dads who completed the 13 week Nurturing Fathers for Life program. A Program designed to keep father’s in their children’s lives. Accomplishing the class led dads to make emotional pledges. Their promise is to take what they learned and apply it to their own lives.

“It is an opportunity for us to turn the hearts of father’s to their children and abolish father absence,” said executive director Burl Lemon.

To read more, click on link below:

http://www.whiznews.com/content/news/local/2011/02/27/fathers-change-their-lives

Johnson gives his children a father’s greatest gift

Johnson gives his children a father’s greatest gift

http://www.sjahs.org/joejohnson.html

“Here is the link to my article, http://www.sjahs.org/.  This article was actually published and sent out to over 15’000 people so it was pretty amazing to have that happen. I must say Mark that your fathering program is amazing and I have seen amazing results with the men I am working with and just want to say God Bless to you, you are truly inspiring!!!”

Joe Johnson

Note:  “Fatherhood Skills Classes” use the 13-week Nurturing Father’s Program.

PAPAs: Providing Resources for Teen Fathers

The PAPAs program is an effort to improve parenting skills among teenagers in the community.  It was created by Good Samaritan Community Service in collaboration with the Children’s Issue Council of the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County.

Our program targets teenage fathers city wide. Participants should have children ages 5 or younger.  We welcome all fathers regardless of their custodial status. We are also glad to accept teenage stepfathers.

Click on link to read more…

http://www.goodsamaritancommunityservices.org/sanantonio/papas.html