Forge forward - the tacoma-pierce county health department will implement the forge forward project to enhance the health and well-being of children and families by investing in the strength and…

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department received a $740,289 Cooperative Agreement award from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families under the Healthy Marriage Promotion and Responsible Fatherhood Grants program (CFDA 93.086), effective September 30, 2025 through September 29, 2030. The Forge Forward project delivers a 12-week evidence-informed workshop series using the Bringing Back the Dads curriculum to strengthen father engagement, parenting capabilities, and economic stability. The initiative serves 250 fathers across Pierce County, Washington through workshops conducted at family resource centers, complemented by intensive case management, community health worker support, and referrals to behavioral health counseling services.

The project's comprehensive service model equips participating fathers with critical skills in co-parenting communication, child engagement, and employment readiness while connecting them to economic and social support resources. By combining structured parenting curriculum with wraparound support services, Forge Forward addresses multiple dimensions of family stability and economic self-sufficiency among fathers and their households throughout the five-year project period.

Forge forward - the tacoma-pierce county health department will implement the forge forward project to enhance the health and well-being of children and families by investing in the strength and stability of fathers. The project will deliver a 12-week workshop series for fathers using the evidence-informed bringing back the dads curriculum at family resource centers throughout pierce county, washington. Participants will receive intensive case management, community health worker support, and referrals to behavioral health counseling to help them gain skills and resources needed for employment and parenting. Over the five-year project period, forge forward will serve 250 fathers, helping them improve communication with CO-parents and children, develop parenting skills, and achieve greater economic stability.