Pathfinders of Oregon Receives Parenting Grant for High-Risk Fathers

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Though these fathers face many obstacles, their determination to be good parents for their children is inspiring.

Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) June 09, 2014

Pathfinders of Oregon is pleased to announce that it has received a second year of funding from the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative (OPEC) to offer its evidence-based Parenting Inside Out program to a special group of fathers. The award is part of a multi-year initiative of the Oregon Community Foundation in partnership with the Meyer Memorial Trust, The Ford Family Foundation, The Collins Foundation and Oregon State University that supports parenting programs across Oregon. Pathfinders is pleased to partner with OPEC as it shares OPEC’s conviction that strong parenting helps to ensure that all children are ready to succeed in school.

The fathers who come to Pathfinders of Oregon’s Center for Family Success often face significant challenges in their parenting: 65% have been arrested one or more times, 9% are involved with gangs, and 55% have had involvement with the child welfare system. All of these are risk factors for child abuse and neglect. At the Center for Family Success, fathers are enrolled in Parenting Inside Out and given support services to help them become effective parents and advocates for their children. Center Director, Glenna Hayes says, "Though these fathers face many obstacles, their determination to be good parents for their children is inspiring."

Parenting Inside Out was developed as a joint project of the Oregon Department of Corrections, the Oregon Social Learning Center and Pathfinders of Oregon. It was created specifically for criminal justice and systems involved parents and gives them the skills to help their children lead healthy, prosocial lives. It was recently added to the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP).

Pathfinders’ Center for Family Success operates in three locations in the Rockwood neighborhood of East Multnomah County. The Center has been providing services to families impacted by the criminal justice system since 2005. Services include helping families meet immediate needs for food and housing, parenting and early childhood support programs, employment assistance, family activities and advocacy. The Center works with families who have a parent in prison, jail or on parole or probation, helping them reunite and build successful lives.

ABOUT PATHFINDERS OF OREGON
Pathfinders of Oregon is a 501(c) 3 organization whose mission is to break the cycle of criminality. Pathfinders has taught programs within the Oregon Department of Corrections for more than 20 years. In the community it offers programs to families impacted by the criminal justice system and youth at risk for gang involvement through its Center for Family Success in Rockwood.

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