Program for fatherhood support - the fathers first program will provide evidence-based curriculum workshops to fathers aged 18 or older with children under 24 years of age in harris county, texas

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded Civic Heart Community Services a $2.348 million Cooperative Agreement on September 30, 2025, under the Healthy Marriage Promotion and Responsible Fatherhood Grants program (CFDA 93.086) to operate the Fathers First Program providing evidence-based fatherhood support services in Harris County, Texas.

Civic Heart will deliver 34 hours of workshops using the 24:7 Dad A.M. curriculum to fathers aged 18 or older with children under 24 years of age, covering responsible parenting, healthy relationships, and economic stability. The recipient will provide intensive case management, quarterly family engagement activities, and economic stability workshops. The program serves 80 fathers in Year One and 160 fathers annually in Years 2–5, reaching a total of 700 fathers over the five-year performance period ending September 29, 2030.

CoolxDad Inc. serves as a sub-recipient, responsible for recruiting 25 participants and delivering the 16-session Fathers First workshop during the ten-month period from December 1, 2025, through September 29, 2026, in Houston, Harris County, Texas. CoolxDad will conduct participant intake and assessments, maintain documentation and confidentiality protocols, participate in required trainings, and submit monthly and semi-annual reports to Civic Heart. Civic Heart retains access to CoolxDad's participants to provide additional case management, economic development, and family engagement services.

The program will implement the 24:7 DAD A.M. Curriculum to deliver 34 hours of workshops covering responsible parenting, healthy relationships, and economic stability. Civic heart will serve community fathers through intensive case management, quarterly family engagement activities, and economic stability workshops. The program will serve 80 fathers in year one and 160 fathers annually in years 2-5, for a total of 700 fathers over the five-year project period.