GRADS Dads supplements the GRADS program at Euclid High School by providing contact, education, and support to young men who are expectant fathers or who already have children.  The program consists of weekly meetings with the male students alternating individual and group contact from week to week.  Meetings take place at Euclid High School and focus on providing support to the young men so that they remain involved in the fatherhood process during the prenatal period and after the birth of their children.

Meeting Content - Each group session will cover a different topic:
• Self assessment of strengths and weaknesses;
• Concepts of role related to mature/responsible manhood and fatherhood;
• Issues regarding their relationship with the mother of the baby (e.g. such as how to stay involved as a father when the relationship deteriorates, whether or not to cohabitate, etc);
• Whether or not to have other children at this time  (with encouragement of responsible sexual behavior);
• Relationships with their own families and their child’s mother’s extended family;
• Finding a job;
• Navigating the system regarding higher education;
• Appropriate ways to deal with confusing feelings associated with their current life situations in appropriate ways;
• Paternal rights and responsibilities; and
• Future life planning.

Academic Assistance/Study Skills:
A study skills group conducted by the Fatherhood Specialist will meet on each group meeting day (once every two weeks) as an additional support to provide  assistance to dads regarding any aspect of their school/ academic performance.

Community Support:
The fatherhood specialist will also help young fathers make needed contacts and connections within the community. These contacts may include assistance with childbirth preparation, doctor visitations, Boot Camp for New Dads,local college or trade school visitation, actual labor and delivery support so that the dad might successfully assist during the birth of his child, or simply home visits to assist with communication between the father and his own parent. 

Euclid High School GRADS Program

Margaret Nielsen

216.797.7846

mnielsen@euclid.k12.oh.us

download a program brochure

Euclid GRADS Dads - Bob Farmerie

bfarmerie@netzero.com