Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services in Jamestown is launching the Rural Fatherhood Program Monday.
Director of Development Michael Yates said Ridgeview received a $500,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Human Services to start the program . Yates said the program will teach biological, adoptive, and foster fathers how to be better dads for their children. Yates said Ridgeview is starting the program as many programs help women with motherhood but do not help men with fatherhood.
“We are delighted that there are a lot of services specifically for moms,” Yates said. “But we also need to lift up and honor and recognize the critical role that fathers can play in the caregiving of children and their development.”
Yates said the grant will allow the program to exist for two and a half years and will serve seven counties. Fatherhood Program Coach Jonathon Hash said the program will cover topics like how to properly play and discipline a child.
“We’ll be looking at parenting styles and learning to find that balance level of parenting where you are not too authoritarian but not too permissive,” Hash said. “Really talk to your kids for success and teaching them to make the good decisions in life.”
Yates said the program will also cover topics related to developing positive self-esteem, positive self-concept, and self-care. Yates said the program uses an evidence-based curriculum called 24:7 Dad.
Yates said the program will be great for Fentress County.
“Fentress, like so many other rural counties has access to limited resources and accessibility to these types of resources,” Yates said. “So the fact that we are able to offer it out of our Jamestown location is a great asset for any of the dads in Fentress County.”
Yates said the resources the program will provide many benefits, including better relationships with family members but also a better community.
Yates said the program will begin Monday. Yates said men who are interested in participating in the program can simply visit the Ridgeview Fentress County office located at 101 A Duncan Street.
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