The Key to Launching a Local Fatherhood Initiative: Atlanta’s Experience

If you had told me three years ago—in the throes of COVID—that something amazing would’ve come out of that dark time, I wouldn’t have believed you. But something amazing happened in Georgia, and it sprung forth from a partnership between National Fatherhood Initiative^® (NFI), the Georgia Department of Public Health (GA DPH), the Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Resource Center (MSM PRC), and the Strong Fathers, Strong Families Georgia Coalition (SFSF GA).

Curious about what came out of that time of widespread physical isolation?

It started when SFSF GA selected five metro Atlanta counties—Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, and Fulton—for a GA DPH-funded initiative to mobilize around responsible fatherhood. These counties represented diverse populations (e.g., race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and cultural background) and faced an array of challenges (e.g., employment, incarceration, education, health, and food insecurity).

At the heart of this five-county effort was NFI’s Community Mobilization Approach™ (CMA), a proven model that empowers communities to create systems that support fathers.

In January 2021, NFI facilitated a CMA workshop for local leaders, kicking off a three-phase process:

1. Assessing community needs and assets to understand how well fathers are currently supported.
2. Hosting a Leadership Summit on Fatherhood to bring together stakeholders and shape a shared strategy.
3. Developing a strategic action plan collaboratively crafted across agencies, sectors, and communities.

MSM PRC—the initiative’s Lead Agency—released a Fathers Matter Report in March of 2021 that summarized the activities and outcomes of the three phases.

This process led to launching Fathers Matter ATL, a grassroots initiative backed by more than 40 partner organizations. Since its start, Fathers Matter ATL has:

• Promoted father-child bonding through events.
• Encouraged father-inclusive policies in organizations.
• Strengthened the role of fathers in building resilient families.

While the launch of Fathers Matter ATL is impressive, you’re probably wondering what’s happened in the three years since.

That’s the most exciting part of the story!

Fathers Matter ATL just released a three-year Fathers Matter Atlanta Impact Report highlighting growth, innovation, and lasting community influence. With national recognition, increased funding, and policy momentum, the initiative is inspiring similar efforts across the country.

The success of the SFSF GA Coalition and the Fathers Matter ATL initiative underscores the transformative power of community collaboration and proactive father engagement. By aligning local resources with NFI’s CMA, Georgia has created a sustainable framework for uplifting fathers and strengthening families.

The impact in metro Atlanta isn’t just a testament to what’s possible—it’s a call to action for other communities to prioritize fatherhood as a cornerstone of family and community health and well-being.

For more information on the CMA and how to bring it to your community, contact Erik Vecere at evecere@fatherhood.org.

Who are the key stakeholders in your community (e.g., public health officials, schools, nonprofits, faith leaders) who could champion a fatherhood initiative?

Are there opportunities to align your fatherhood efforts with existing coalitions or initiatives in your area (e.g., mental health, early childhood, violence prevention)?