Alaska STRONG - Fatherhood FIRE

The Association of Alaska School Boards is partnering with School District A, School District B, and Education Northwest, a non-profit education research and technical assistance firm, to implement and evaluate the Alaska STRONG Family and Father Engagement program.<br>Geographic Location: rural and remote communities in Alaska<br><br>Alaska STRONG seeks to incorporate evidence-based approaches to improve healthy relationships, tools and support for positive parenting skills. This includes opportunities to increase subsistence or economic contributions to the household. Fathers and families will participate in 8 weeks (60 hours- evening workshops and 3 weekend activities). This program is designed with a sustainable structure, linking training and supporting school staff to take a leadership role in building skills with and for families.<br><b>Key components include:</b><br><br><b>Training for School staff</b>Building relationships, confidence for parent, safety and domestic violence, developinglesson ideas that link families to learning, play, co-regulation, place, and employment).<b>Training for Family Liaisons</b>Recruit, intake, motivational interviewing (case management), coaching, hosting,dialogue, restoring relationships, building confidence<b>Planning with Elders and Partners</b>Establishing clear roles, protocols, partnership, and referrals to support safety andworkforce development and broader support networks.<b>Workshops and Practice Opportunities with Fathers and Families</b>Relationship building, communication, parenting skills, cultural connections, learningand play. Two-hour workshops.<b>Father and Family Learn and Play</b>Group and independent opportunities for families and fathers to support learning.<b>Father’s circle</b>: Father to Father support breaking down social isolation, culturalconnections, learning and playing, subsistence, career technical, and co-regulation skills.<b>One-on-One Visits</b>: Includes screening process, motivational interviewing, workshopdebriefing, and referral and next step support.<b>Subsistence Activities and On-going Roles for Fathers:</b>In the first year, families will be invited to subsistence and important communityopportunities. In year two families will be invited to return as peer leaders.