Forestdale Inc.Fathering Initiative

Father/Male Accountability

“Looking For More Than Just A Few Good Men”

Presented by:

Howard L. Wheeler

Objectives• Provide an overview of the

Forestdale Fathering Initiative philosophy and services offered.

• Analyze the disease of family violence; symptoms and effects on the family system .

• Identify personal barriers of father/males to change abusive behaviors perpetrated.

• Identify immediate benefits to fathers/males who choose to change abusive behaviors.

• During presentation exchange thoughts, ideas, insights and necessary actions needed to eliminate the disease of family violence.

Program Outcome Objective

• Improve non-custodial father engagement with children.

• Improve father support with children.

Forestdale Fathering Initiative

Services Offered:

• Parenting Skills – “Foundation” - 24 sessions• Anger Management – 12 Sessions• Male Accountability Program – 12 sessions• World of Work – Job Readiness – 12 sessions• Supervised Visitation

Program Philosophy

Who Am I

Disease of Family Violence

• What is a disease?In human beings, "disease" is often used more broadly to refer to any condition that causes extreme pain, dysfunction, distress, social problems, and/or death to the person afflicted, or similar problems for those in contact with the person.

Symptoms and Effects of Family Violence

The Abusive Father/Man• Shows extreme jealousy and wants to

keep the woman isolated.• Has an inability to cope with stress and

shows a lack of impulse control. (This may not Necessarily appear outside the home)

• Has a poor self-image and blames others for problems.

• Shows severe mood swings.• May have a history of abuse in his own

family and may have been abusive in courtship.

• Presents a history of personal and/or family discord; unemployment, cruelty to animals, abuse of alcohol or other substances, and other unexplained behavior.

Symptoms and Effects of Family Violence

The Abused Spouse/Intimate Partner• Shows guilt, ambivalence, and fear over living

conditions.• Feels isolated and untrusting of others, even though

she may be involved in the community.• Is emotionally and economically dependent.• Has a poor self-concept (this may not have been true

BEFORE the relationship).• Has observed other women in her family being

abused or may have been abused as a child.• Feels angry, embarrassed, and ashamed.• Is fearful of being insane.• Has learned to feel helpless and feels powerless.• Has unexplained injuries that may go untreated.

Symptoms and Effects of Family Violence

The Abused Child/Children• Higher levels of aggression, anger and

hostility• “Acting out”• Oppositional behavior and

disobedience• Fear and anxiety• Withdrawal• Depression• Changes in sleeping patterns• Changes in eating patterns• Poor peer, sibling and social

relationships• Low self-esteem

Barriers To Change

• Denial• Habitual Blaming

Behavior.• Trust Issues.• General Inability to

look at “self”.

Male Accountability Program

Program Focus:

• Responsibility and Accountability• Acceptance of Abuse.• Forgiveness – Make amends

when appropriate.• Pro-activity vs. Reactivity.• Take Necessary Risks for Change.

Male Accountability Program

8 Themes of Curriculum• Non-Violence• Non-threatening behavior• Respect• Support and Trust• Accountability and

Honesty• Sexual Respect• Partnership• Negotiation and Fairness

Who Refers To The Male Accountability Program

• Domestic Violence Court• Family Court• Faith Institutions• NYC Children’s Services• Dept of Juvenile Justice

Benefits of Change

• Reduced feelings of shame and guilt.

• Improved self-confidence and purpose.

• Health respect for self and others.

Forestdale Inc.

Anistiss AgnewExecutive Director

ForestdaleFathering Initiative

Scott LeachAdministrative Director

67-35 112th StreetForest Hills, N.Y. 11375

(718) 263-0740www.forestdaleinc.org