When Britney Rodriguez talked about the changes in her dad, she summed it all up by saying “he is not an angry person anymore.”
The transformation is a result, in part, of the local Dads in Action program. The first set of classes ended recently and the second begins at 6 p.m. Monday, May 5, at the Juvenile Services office, 1800 12th, Great Bend.
Participants meet for a couple of hours on six consecutive Mondays. A light meal is served.
“When I first heard about this program, I thought it was a good thing,” said Rodriguez, 20, Wichita. “Dad is very much a changed man. He is more present, more patient.
“And he is obviously sober,” she added. “I can go to him with problems or just to talk.”
Rodriguez’s dad is Paul Rios of Great Bend, who reflects on his life experiences to facilitate Dads in Action classes. He has a history of drug and alcohol use, and being disconnected from his 11 children.
While the classes are key to success in the program, “that is not all there is to it,” Rios said. “I follow-up with the participants between the sessions. Sometimes I call them and sometimes they call me.
“I will talk or meet with them on their terms,” he continued. “I just want them to get something out of these eye-opening classes and then be available between sessions. Maybe this can help them change their negative behaviors.”
Rios noted that he has already learned that “these follow-ups carry weight. It is not only the curriculum we use in the class. It is the relationships that you form with your family and even with your classmates.”
Some of the reasons a father might want to consider Dads in Action include alcohol and/or drug use, domestic violence, divorce and adverse childhood experiences.
Rios noted that he and some participants wish these classes had been available years ago when they believed their kids were better off without them.
“Now we are thinking differently and want to connect with our kids,” Rios commented. “Yes, it is difficult because we feel old emotions and remember old failures.
“However, a highlight of the class is learning that if you love your child, all will fall into place. Love between parent and child overcomes fears and other challenges. These dads will do what it takes to reconnect with their kids.”
Anyone interested in signing up for the next class or asking questions is encouraged to contact Rios by calling 620-899-8622 or emailing paulrios8317@gmail.com.
Amy Ferguson at Rise Up
Amy Ferguson, program coordinator of Rise Up Central Kansas, noted she has been hearing positive feedback about Dads in Action from community leaders.
“After they learned about this in the local media, they are asking how they can help,” Ferguson commented. “This led to one man sponsoring the meal for one of the classes; and this is just the beginning. It is gratifying to know this program is touching our community.
“We want to hear from anyone interested in this program – whether to participate in the classes or offer support.”
Ferguson said she and her colleagues were pleased with the turnout for the first sessions; six dads attended and four will graduate.
If someone has to miss the first class, they can still participate by attending the second.
Rise Up is a task force under the Central Kansas Partnership umbrella. The local Dads in Action program, which follows the National Fatherhood Initiative curriculum, was made possible by a $50,000 DECK grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. DECK stands for Drug Endangered Children in Kansas; the grant funds also are earmarked for two other programs.
