HERO Dads Program
HERO Dads Program
Healthy. Empowered. Resilient. Open.
HERO Dads at Montefiore-Einstein is a FREE program designed to empower low-income, non-custodial fathers to achieve family and financial success. Funded by the Office of Family Assistance (OFA), and led by a team of psychologists, mental health counselors, and career development specialists, our mission is to help fathers to become involved and nurturing parents to their children, to form and maintain collaborative relationships with their children’s other caregivers, and to achieve financial stability.
Videos
HERO Dads Promo Video
HERO Dads Curtis
HERO Dad Marcus
HERO Dad Eddy
HERO Dads helps to address major life questions:
- Do you need a JOB? Do you need to find a way to achieve financial stability for your family’s future?
- Do you want to be the best DAD? Do you want to strengthen your relationship with your children?
- Do you want to be a better CO-PARENT? Do you and your child’s other caregiver need support navigating the struggles of co-parenting?
This program is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $7.5M with 100% funded by ACF/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, or an endorsement by, ACF/HHS or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit the ACF website, Administrative and National Policy Requirements. These services are available to all eligible persons, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or religion.
Zero-cost Program Eligibility
HERO Dads is free of charge. You may be eligible to participate in this research study if:
- You are 18 or older
- You are a non-custodial parent (or have joint custody)
- Your non-custodial child is under 24
Our Services
We provide our services in BOTH English and Spanish so fathers will find a supportive, safe community where they can obtain the skills and resources to become involved with their children, collaborate effectively as co-parents, and overcome barriers to achieving financial health. Services are provided both in-person and virtually via Zoom, determined as required by the research study.
HERO Dads Workshops
The HERO Dads workshops provide a great opportunity for fathers to spend some time learning about themselves and from others in a relaxed environment. We assist with childcare reimbursement, and provide round-trip Metrocards to help with transportation. Workshops are facilitated by parent coaches and career development specialists and are delivered over 4 weeks, 4 days a week, 1-2 hours each day, in a group format to 4-15 fathers. Daytime, evening, and weekend workshops available. Our workshops are delivered either in-person or virtually via Zoom. When in-person, our workshops are delivered at our Poe Building headquarters (2432 Grand Concourse, Suite 404).
- Parenting and Relationships
HERO Dads parenting and relationship workshops provide a safe space to learn new skills and become empowered, resilient fathers. Our workshops provide an opportunity to learn through discussion, teaching, and peer-to-peer learning with the help of clinically trained psychologists and mental health counselors. - Employment
HERO Dads employment workshops are facilitated by career development specialists and are designed to ensure that fathers are job ready upon program completion. Workshop topics include resume writing, job interview skills, budgeting, credit repair, job search strategies, and in-demand industries.
Parent Coaching and Career Coaching
In addition to the group workshops, enrolled fathers receive individualized parent coaching and career coaching from our clinically trained staff to ensure tailored support in reaching their family and financial goals.
Specialized Vocational Training
Fathers who complete the program are eligible to enroll in our FREE vocational trainings in specialized fields such as construction and protective services, leading to certification. Those interested in other fields will be referred to specific high-demand jobs available in the local community that best match interest and skills.
Job Placement
With over 20 community employer partners, HERO Dads offers exclusive opportunities for employment in many different fields, including construction, unarmed protective services, commercial building maintenance, IT, and retail and food service. In addition, fathers who find new employment, or who receive a promotion, while enrolled in our program, will receive transportation assistance and financial incentives after 30, 90, and 180 days of maintaining their new job.
Career Advancement
Career coaches will also help fathers advance in their careers with help from community partners for additional education programs to improve employability and occupational skills training, as needed. We can help you obtain the training, certification, or degree that you need to further your career goals.
Family Events, Support Groups, Supplemental Workshops
Our core workshops are supplemented by additional workshops, support groups, and family events that we host about once a month.
Family Support Services
We work with you to find community resources and services to address any family stressors. We are partnered with many community-based organizations who assist our families in obtaining legal support, health care, food pantries, mental health services, and more.
Dad League
Dad League is the ambassador program and face of HERO Dads. After graduating the program, select HERO Dads are nominated to join this exclusive group of fathers based on their ability to be exceptional role models for other dads in the program and for their communities. The goal is to spread the brotherly love that they experienced in the program to other fathers, assisting with program enrollment, engagement, and retention. Aside from recruiting new fathers to join the program, Dad League members provide support, mentorship, and assistance to HERO Dad members as they progress through the program. Becoming a member of Dad League requires times and commitment, so members are provided with rewards and incentives as they achieve specific milestones and goals.
Program Enrollment
Interested clients must participate in an in-person intake process. We also often host Open Houses where you can learn more about our program and hear testimonials from dads who have graduated from the program. Contact us to find out when we are having our next Open House or find out more information.
After getting in contact with us, the next steps in the intake process may include:
- Phone Screen. You will complete a brief phone screen and then be scheduled for an intake at our South Bronx headquarters, one of our partner sites, or virtually.
- Intake. The intake, which takes 1-2 hours, includes an interview with a family support specialist and survey completion. It must be completed in person.
- Workshop Enrollment. Provided that you complete the intake process and the program is a good fit for you, you will be enrolled in one of our upcoming workshop series.
Once enrolled in our program, you have access to our services for ONE YEAR. This includes:
- Family Support Services
- Financial Empowerment Workshops
- Vocational Training
- Supplemental Workshops, Support Groups, and Family Events
- Parent and Career Coaching Sessions
- 6-Month Follow-Up
- Incentives and Reimbursements
**To receive any of the above additional services, you must attend one of the core relationship/parenting education workshop series.**
Learn More About Our HERO Dads Program
For interested fathers
We are here to help! We want to get to know you and help support you in building a solid foundation for your family. Please text HERO to 646-823-6204 or call 929-234-4834, or e-mail us at HERODads-UBA@montefiore.org.
Eligibility
- 18 or older
- Non-custodial parent (or have joint custody)
- Non-custodial child is under 24
If you have a question about eligibility or the referral process, please text HERO to 646-823-6204 or call 929-234-4834, or email HERODads-UBA@montefiore.org.
Contact Us For More Information
HERO Dads at Montefiore Poe Building
2342 Grand Concourse, Suite 404
Bronx, NY 10458 929-234-4834
HERODads-UBA@montefiore.org
For Potential Community Partners
- Does your organization serve low-income families in the Bronx, or any marginalized community in New York City or the tri-state area?
- Could your clients benefit from FREE services focused on strengthening families through parenting and relationship education?
- Does your organization provide relationship and/or parenting support, but need assistance with or training in delivering a more structured curriculum?
We have partnered with many organizations in the Bronx, New York City, and elsewhere in the tri-state area to bring our services to more families in need. We have facilitated our workshops wherever there are families who fit our eligibility criteria, as long as the organization can assist with recruitment and provide a space to deliver the intervention. We can also tailor our curriculum and structure our workshop format to fit the unique needs of your clients.
Please contact us by texting HERO to 646-823-6204 or calling 929-234-4834 or emailing HERODads-UBA@montefiore.org to find out more about partnering with HERO Dads!
HERO Dads in the News
16 Simple Men’s Mental Health Tips All Dads Should Adopt
Now more than ever our mental health is pushed to the limit. Sadly, many of those in need often don't seek or receive the help they need, especially Dads. For tips on how to cope with mental health, read the following article where our Program Director of SHR and HERO Dads, Dr. Traci Maynigo, is featured!