Fatherhood Training & Parenting Classes

Classes are forming now
All classes meet twice a week for 6 weeks

SpoFI has partnered with the National Fatherhood Initiative to present their 24-7 Dad® evidence-based curriculum to our community.

We offer 24-7 Dad® Basic designed for all dads including first time fathers or young men who desire to become fathers. This class is well suited for non-custodial fathers as well.

We also offer 24-7 Dad® Advanced to graduates of our 24-7 Dad® Basic classes and to fathers who have some experience and seek to become better fathers.

We offer these classes periodically throughout the year in various venues. Classes are small to allow for robust discussion and interaction between the fathers.

When classes become available, we will post them on this web site.

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The 24-7 Dad®

Knows His Strengths and Weaknesses
Cares for Himself
Knows How to Father
Knows How to Parent
Builds Healthy Relationships with Family and Community

SpoFI Transforms Lives

Dads who have graduated from SpoFI Dad classes share their remarkable stories of transformation and their passionate desire to be better dads. These classes are taught by the Spokane Fatherhood Initiative using the 24-7 Dad® curriculum developed by the National Fatherhood Initiative.

24-7 Dad® Basic

Many fathers in our community grew up without a father in their home. These men do not have the relationship and parenting tools they need to be effective, devoted fathers. For these men and those who aspire to be fathers someday, this evidence-based class teaches them basic fatherhood, parenting and relationship skills.

SpoFI offers this comprehensive class several time a year in various locations. The class is taught in twelve, two-hour sessions.

Currently Basic and Advanced classes are scheduled sequentially. Both versions are taught twice a week on weekday evenings.

Topics Include

Family History and Its Impact on Fathering
What it Means to Be a Man
Discipline/Punishment
The Father’s Role
Communication
Working with Mom and Co-Parenting
Showing and Handling Feelings
…and so much more

24-7 Dad® Advanced

This class is a more advanced and in-depth class that challenges fathers to become the best Dads they can be. The course focuses on self-evaluation, relationships, parenting skills and co-parenting. It is designed for fathers who have experience and want to improve their fathering skills. Enrollment is open to 24-7 Dad® Basic graduates and by approval by the instructor after reviewing an application.

This evidence-based curriculum is taught less frequently than the 24-7 Dad® Basic classes. The class is taught in twelve, two-hour sessions in a format similar to the 24-7 Dad® classes.

Topics include

Boyhood to Manhood
Dealing with Anger
Sex, Love and Relationships
Competition and Fathering
Improving My Communication Skills
Fun with the Kids – Fathering and Fun
Stress, Alcohol (drugs) and Work
And more!

What do Some of Our Graduates think?

Q.) 5 Fathering skills I have learned as result of participating in this group are:

Taking care of myself
Role Modeling
Honoring my children from their perspective
Stopping and thinking twice
Involving my kids more in day to day activities

Adam Howerton

24-7 Dad®Grad 2022

Healthy communication
Discipline techniques
Patience
Showing and handling feelings
Sympathy & empathy

Kaleb Koontz

24-7 Dad®Grad 2023

Plan one on one dates with my boys.
TEACHING THEM TO BE COMPETITIVE BUT HUMBLE.
Not taking there power from them.
Keeping my promise with not only my boys but friends and family.
Being a rock star listener.

Garrett Skirvin

24-7 Dad®Grad 2023

Fathering in 15™

Fathering in 15™ is an interactive online one-on-one program to build dad skills on a mutually acceptable schedule between the student and an assigned mentor.

Occasionally the program may be offered to up to three dads at the same time. Fathering in 15™ takes dads through 15 interactive, engaging topics in one hour sessions (the Fathering 15™ content takes about 30 minutes. The remaining time is devoted to one-on-one mentoring).

It is accessible on any computer or mobile device!

Topics Include:

Family History
Handling Emotions
Your Health
Talking with Mom
Fathering Skills
Child Discipline
Intimacy
Managing Money

Being a Man and Dad
Grief and Loss
You and Mom
Co-Parenting
Child Development
Sexuality
Work-Family Balance

Dads who complete our Fathering in 15™ program with a mentor will receive a Certificate of Completion and will be ready to take our Advanced 24-7 Dad®class anytime in the future.

Dad2Dad

Dad2Dad is a process group that meets with a licensed, professional counselor weekly for six months. This group is for men who have completed both the Basic (AM) and Advanced (PM) 24-7 Dad® classes. Dad2Dad is for men who want to continue their healing, growth and development.

During Dad2Dad, you will:

acquire more tools to develop a positive, supportive and enduring relationship with your children;
strengthen emotional regulation and resilience through increased self-awareness and self-worth;
become better at being an involved, responsible and committed father;
make habits out of the powerful lessons you learned in 24-7 Dad® classes.

7 Secrets of Effective Fathers™

Becoming The Father Your Children Need

7 Secrets of Effective Fathers™ is a 7-week course offered by SpoFI to graduates of the 24-7 Dad® Basic (AM) class. This teaching is based on decades of research by Dr. Ken Canfield, founder of the National Center for Fathering. Based on interviews with over 10,000 fathers, Dr. Canfield has identified seven character traits that help make fathers more effective in their parenting and relationships.

Classes typically meet Wednesdays once a week for seven weeks but this schedule is subject to change. Check our Registration section for the next upcoming class.

Understanding Dad

Understanding Dad™ is a unique program that helps mothers improve their relationship with the father(s) of their children for the benefit of their children. This program helps mothers better understand the importance of involving dad in their children’s lives, and how to better communicate with the father(s) of their child(ren).

9 week classes
Schedule to be released soon
Pre-K Childcare Provided

Waitlist

Many studies have shown that a father’s involvement in their children’s lives significantly benefits their children. Oftentimes, however, a mother’s gatekeeping behavior prevents or reduces a father’s access to their children.

This program encourages self-awareness and helps moms improve their communication skills needed to improve the partnership between them and the father of their children in raising their children (e.g. co-parenting when mothers and fathers are no longer together).

Understanding Dad™ raises mothers’ awareness about the importance of a father’s involvement in the lives of their children; helps mothers reflect on how their own developmental histories have, and continue to have, an influence on their relationship with the fathers of their children; and helps mothers work with the father of their children to put the focus on raising their children to establish a parenting approach for the benefit of their children.