Fatherhood programs are often called Nurturing Fatherhood Programs or Responsible Fatherhood Programs. They can be helpful for fathers, but they are not a replacement for Certified IPAEPs.
Certified IPAEPs may talk about parenting, but their main goal is to help people learn how to make nonviolent choices. IPAEPs also contact participants' partners. They can refer people to substance abuse and mental health programs.
The differences between Fatherhood programs and Certified Intimate Partner Abuse Education Programs are in the chart below.
Questions | Fatherhood Programs | Certified Intimate Partner Abuse Education Programs |
Who do the programs serve? | Fathers, step-fathers, and father figures whether or not they have custody of their children | Domestic violence offenders, including those with children and step-children. |
Do the programs address domestic violence? | Not typically although some programs might devote 1-2 sessions to this. | All 40 sessions are devoted to this. |
Do programs contact partners of program participants? | No | Yes. If the victim/survivor chooses, the program will remain in regular contact with them and provide referrals, safety planning, and information to help protect children. |
What is the goal of the program? | To promote father re-engagement and/or to strengthen relationships with children, to teach understanding of children’s needs, to teach parenting skills. | To help participants identify all forms of abusive behavior and how it affects their partners and children. To teach participants how to avoid abusive behavior and to learn and practice behaviors that support healthy and respectful relationships. |
How long are programs? | Varies greatly from as few as 5 weeks to 20 weeks, 1.5 to 2.5 hours per session. | 40 sessions with a minimum of 2 hours per session. |
Do programs assess participants for dangerousness? | No | Yes. Programs use established methods for identifying risk factors for lethality and re-assaults, and for managing risk. |
Are group facilitators trained about domestic violence? | There are no requirements for this although some group leaders might get limited training. | Yes. State standards require 24 hours of specialized training at a certified intimate partner abuse education program site, plus 12 hours of group observation. |
How is participant progress evaluated? | Based primarily on program attendance. | Based on attendance and level of participation. Participants must be violence-free for 20 weeks to be able to complete the program. |
Do programs work with other community programs about domestic violence? | No | Yes. This often includes participation in domestic violence high risk teams, domestic violence roundtables, partnerships with victim advocacy programs, and outreach with community agencies. |
Are the programs certified and/or monitored by a state agency? | No | Yes. The Programs are certified and monitored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. |