Fatherhood Initiative Support Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Fatherhood Initiative – Support Specialist

REPORTS TO: Fatherhood Initiative Director

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time

POSITION SUMMARY

The Fatherhood Initiative Support Specialist restores, equips, and deploys fathers by delivering fatherhood programming, recruiting and engaging participants through strategic partnerships, and ensuring strong documentation and accountability.

This role advances Fatherhood Initiative’s Fatherhood Essentials curriculum and related programming across correctional, recovery, justice, and community-based settings while strengthening referral networks and community partnerships.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Facilitation & Direct Service

• Facilitate Fatherhood Essentials cohorts and workshops in correctional facilities, recovery centers, and the Center for Fathers and Families.
• Maintain curriculum fidelity and ensure consistent, high-quality program delivery.
• Provide relational support, mentoring, and structured case management to participating fathers.
• Support pre-release and post-release engagement for justice-involved fathers.
• Assist with planning and on-site execution of key community-facing events, including Be the Dopest Dad conferences and the Annual Father’s Day Family Celebration at Douglass Park.

Recruitment & Partnership Engagement

• Actively recruit fathers through partnerships with:

Correctional facilities

Recovery treatment programs

Drug Court and diversion programs

Department for Community Based Services (DCBS)

Additional community referral avenues

• Engage fathers connected to DCBS, including those involved in child welfare, reunification, or court-ordered case plans.
• Maintain strong, professional relationships with referral partners and represent the Fatherhood Initiative with clarity and integrity.

Program Implementation & Accountability

• Implement Fatherhood Essentials and related programming with consistency and excellence.
• Maintain accurate cohort rosters, attendance records, and participant contact information.
• Complete timely data entry including intake forms, assessments, case notes, and follow-up documentation.
• Administer and track completion surveys and program evaluations to measure outcomes and inform continuous improvement.

Participant Care & Follow-Up

• Maintain consistent engagement with participants to support retention, completion, and measurable progress. 
• Reinforce goal accountability and encourage continued participation throughout the program cycle. 
• Coordinate referrals and monitor participant follow-through with partner services. 

QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated commitment to responsible fatherhood and family strengthening.
• Strong group facilitation and relational leadership skills.
• Ability to engage justice-involved and recovering fathers with empathy and accountability. 
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to manage caseloads while maintaining program quality and relational depth.
• High integrity and commitment to confidentiality.
• Lived experience, Peer Support Certification, or formal training in recovery, behavioral health, or fatherhood engagement preferred.

The Support Specialist serves as a frontline ambassador of the Fatherhood Initiative, showing up consistently, stewarding relationships well, and helping fathers write new chapters in their fatherhood stories.