Empowering Fathers, Supporting Schools: The National Alliance for Father Friendly Schools

Schools thrive when every parent feels welcome, valued, and actively involved in their child’s education. The National Alliance for Father Friendly Schools (NAFFS) exists to help schools create environments where fathers and father figures are consistently and intentionally engaged.

NAFFS is not a fatherhood program. It is a school-based father engagement initiative designed to equip educators, administrators, and communities with the tools they need to make father involvement a regular and lasting part of school life.

Why Father Engagement Matters

When fathers are involved in their child’s education, the benefits are significant. Students often experience improved academic performance, better attendance, and higher confidence. NAFFS helps schools go beyond one-time events to build a culture of father engagement that lasts year after year.

Father engagement is different from fatherhood. Fatherhood focuses on personal parenting development. Father engagement is about creating opportunities for dads to be present and active within the school community. NAFFS helps schools bridge that gap.

What NAFFS Offers

Training for Educators and Schools Practical strategies, resources, and examples to help schools become father-friendly environments.

Support for Administrators, Counselors, and PTAs Tools, templates, and guidance for implementing inclusive engagement practices that work for every family.

Encouragement for Fathers and Father Figures Ideas for getting involved in schools, volunteering, and supporting learning at home.

Spotlighting Success Highlighting schools and organizations that are making father engagement a priority so others can learn and be inspired.

Creating Father-Friendly Environments

NAFFS works with schools to move beyond one-off events. While activities like “Donuts with Dad” can be a good starting point, true father engagement means building ongoing relationships and pathways for dads to be present throughout the school year. This includes classroom volunteering, mentoring, and participating in decision-making committees.

Collaboration at the Core

Successful father engagement is a team effort. NAFFS encourages collaboration among principals, teachers, parent groups, and community partners. By working together, schools can make sure that fathers and father figures feel invited, informed, and empowered to participate.

Join the Alliance

NAFFS is building a national network of schools and organizations committed to empowering fathers and inspiring kids. By joining the alliance, members gain access to training, resources, and a community of like-minded educators and advocates who share the same vision.

Schools, administrators, and community leaders who want to strengthen their father engagement efforts can connect with NAFFS to learn more and get started.

Supporting fathers and inspiring kids

fatherfriendlyschools.org