CHI St. Joseph’s Health Father Project’s Joe Johnson National Recognition

Joe Johnson, the program coordinator for the FATHER Project, received Outstanding Professional of the Year award at The Nurturing Fathers Program 2017-2018 Summit. Since launching in 2011, the FATHER Project of CHI St. Joseph’s Health Community Health, Park Rapids, MN, has provided life-changing support for families.

The FATHER Project’s mission is to help fathers, custodial or non-custodial, or anyone filling in as a father figure (stepdads, grandparents, foster parents) learn healthy parenting skills and overcome any barriers that prevent them from providing emotional and financial support for their children. In this voluntary step-by-step, multi-class program, participants learn an array of fathering skills that include healthy disciplinary approaches, parenting and communication styles, and co-parenting skills. Some participants go on to become “citizen fathers,” a special achievement for dads who excel in the program and exemplify strong leadership and fathering skills.

During the past six years, Johnson has helped more than 375 dads overcome barriers that prevented them from supporting their children economically and emotionally. “By eliminating barriers and providing a variety of services, we have addressed many social issues affecting our community. We continue to help each individual along the path to achieving goals and becoming independent, productive members for their families and communities.” said Marlee Morrison, CHI St. Joseph’s Health Community Health Director.