This HeadStart.gov webpage discusses the benefits of support groups and activities for fathers to build parenting skills and connect with other fathers. It provides tips for organizing support groups and offers a practice scenario.

The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) publishes and sends a newsletter to their listserv monthly. For those who would like to review a particular topic, this NRFC webpage lists each newsletter distributed in 2025.

Through a partnership with Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) initiatives, the Office of Family Assistance is excited to offer the opportunity to receive compliance support and technical assistance on strengthening employment outcomes for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants by integrating new and effective approaches for meeting various needs of families within the TANF system. This TANF HMRF learning community is a great opportunity to listen and engage with peers and learn new and innovative ways of integrating employment and relational skills into TANF programs. 

The Family Routes Initiative seeks to engage with TANF programs interested in integrating evidence-based HMRF practices. Participants will have access to tools and information for integrating these strategies throughout programs, especially ways to integrate soft skills, goal setting, self-regulation, accountability, and personal responsibility into programs to improve employment outcomes and promote stable families. 

The initiative promotes the dissemination and application of HMRF program research conducted by ACF to other programs that serve fathers, families, and children. By participating in this initiative, participants will learn how to adapt HMRF practices to their unique program context.

 What’s involved?

• Learn, connect, and try out new ideas without funding or reporting requirements
• Apply practical, low- or no-cost adaptations in your program
• Contribute your experiences to guide the development of effective HMRF practices for TANF recipients

Why participate?

• Peer collaboration: join a network of TANF programs to share experiences, challenges, and approaches
• Tailored support: receive guidance and support that fit unique needs (no one-size-fits-all approach)
• Flexible time commitment: participate in monthly virtual group sessions from July to October 2025, with optional additional office hours and one-on-one support

Interested in learning more? Attend an informational webinar on June 26, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET to learn more about the Family Routes Initiative – no preparation or prior commitment is required.

Questions? Contact familyroutes@deloitte.com.

Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Programs (HMRF) programs are part of the Administration for Children and Families strategy to help interested adults and youth build stronger relationships, marriages, fathers, child engagement, and families.

HMRF programs help accomplish several of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program’s key purposes, including promoting marriage, encouraging the formation and maintenance of two parent families, promoting employment, and providing support for children to be raised in their homes or the homes of relatives. In this podcast episode, listeners will learn more about HMRF programs and how states are utilizing TANF funds to support HMRF work.

The crisis of marriage and family formation involves both economic and complex social factors. Children raised in non-intact families face numerous disadvantages, including higher poverty rates, poorer educational outcomes, and increased exposure to violence and substance abuse as compared to their peers with intact families. This Institute for Family Studies report focuses on family dynamics in Texas, identifies barriers to marriage and family formation, and proposes a pro-family policy agenda for the state.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program plays a key role in promoting strength and stability for families experiencing poverty. By helping families to meet their basic needs, obtain employment, and nurture healthy family relationships, TANF programs can foster long-term family wellbeing and economic independence. States have significant flexibility to use TANF funds to address unique family needs and accomplish any of the four purposes of TANF.

The Office of Family Assistance released a series of briefs that highlight innovative and strategic ways that states are leveraging TANF funds to strengthen families and communities by building capacity for self-sufficiency and economic independence. This brief spotlights healthy relationship initiatives in West Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and Utah.

This National Responsible Fatherhood video explores the community's interest and openness to change, reflecting on insights from leadership, staff, and family members about anticipated improvements and expectations. Topics covered in this video include:

• The collective commitment to enhancing the well-being of all families in West Virginia;
• The overwhelming desire to encourage and provide services specifically for fathers, ensuring they receive the support needed to be actively involved in their children's lives;
• The perspectives from leaders, staff, and family members about the future of social services and the changes they hope to see; and
• The efforts to create programs that foster stronger community connections and remove barriers that fathers face. 

This National Responsible Fatherhood video highlights the dedicated efforts taking place within West Virginia's Family Support Centers (FSCs), which are essential community hubs that provide a wide range of services to families with children up to age 18 and pregnant families. Topics covered in this video include:

• Innovative service models implemented at FSCs, designed to meet the unique needs of each community;
• Diverse range of services offered, including parent education classes, child development activities, after-school programs, GED and literacy instruction, health information, and more;
• Staffing, training, and recruitment practices that ensure effective and compassionate service delivery;
• Continuous quality improvement measures in place to maintain the effectiveness and sustainability of these programs; and
• Renewed efforts to support and empower fathers, enhancing their role in family dynamics.

This Heritage Foundation report analyzes data on important trends related to marriage, childbearing, divorce, cohabitation, and abortion, and offers insights on these trends. The report includes five key findings about family life in America today:

1. Americans are getting married less and later;
2. Fewer children are being born, but more are born outside marriage;
3. More couples are cohabiting;
4. Marriage and family are no longer priorities; and
5. American singles are faced with a “connection conundrum.”