Head Start - Fatherhood Initiative

Fathers and male involvement are welcomed in Wayne County Head Start! Research strongly supports and demonstrates that the involvement of parents in a child's development and educational setting or school produces higher achievement and academic success. Therefore, Head Start has an active parent involvement component that also advocates for fathers.

During the past six months, September 2005 through mid February 2006, more than 974 Fathers and Father figures actively participated in Wayne County Head Start program activities designed to involve men in specific projects with their children. Program activities at the five Head Start Delegate Agencies follow:

• Wayne Metro CAA Head Start -- Quarterly Competition/Fatherhood Literacy Project (Dads reading and participating in fine motor activities), Men's Health Workshops, Men's Leadership Council and Fatherhood meetings, and the Real Men-Real Talk series: an open forum discussion sessions. (264 participants)
  
  
• Wayne Westland Community Schools Head Start -- Playtime in the Gym session and the Friend of the Court workshop series (201 participants)
  
  
• YWCA of Western Wayne County -- Dress Up Day with Dad, Male Involvement Buddy Day, and Healthy Relationships Workshops. (189 participants)
  
  
• The Guidance Center – The FIRST Project (Fathers Involved Reading Supporting, Teaching) held monthly meetings, Father Frenzy Day, and sporting events for father and child participation including: soccer, hockey, bowling, cycling and basketball. Other activities included monthly Taylor food distribution program and Healthy Relationship Workshop.
  (161 participants)
  
  
• Starfish Human Services -- Buddy Days/ Donuts w/Dads, "Wayne County Lightfest", and "A week with Dad" consisting of classroom activities which included meals, playing in different daily planned events, and field trips. (159 participants)

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