What do fatherhood programs actually do?

Most combine peer support groups, parenting skill workshops, help navigating child support and custody, job training or placement, and — for fathers involved in the justice system — reentry services. Programs run 6–16 weeks typically, and most are free.

Who can join? Do I need custody?

Most fatherhood programs serve any dad regardless of custody status, marital status, or whether children live with them. Many specifically serve non-custodial fathers and fathers coming out of incarceration. A small number focus on specific populations (teen dads, reentry, veterans).

Are there programs for fathers who lost custody?

Yes. Programs like National Fatherhood Initiative's InsideOut Dad, Father Friendly Check-up-affiliated organizations, and many faith-based programs specifically support dads rebuilding relationships with kids after separation or incarceration.

How do fatherhood programs help with child support?

Many run 'Fatherhood Fridays' or similar collaborations with child support agencies that provide modifications for reduced income, arrears reduction for program completion, or bridge-the-gap job placements to help dads get current on orders.

Fatherhood Programs in North Carolina

15 verified resources.

About Fatherhood Programs for Fathers

Fatherhood programs in the US are funded through the federal Office of Family Assistance (OFA) under the Responsible Fatherhood grant program and through state and local initiatives. Programs typically focus on three areas: healthy marriage and relationship skills, responsible parenting, and economic stability (employment and financial literacy). Services often include peer support groups, one-on-one mentoring, job training, help navigating child support, and reentry support for formerly incarcerated fathers. Organizations like the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) and Fathers' Rights Movement operate nationally; most states also have dedicated fatherhood coalitions and faith-based organizations running local programs. This directory includes federally-funded Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) grantees, state fatherhood coalitions, and community-based mentorship programs — all open to dads regardless of custody status.

Fatherhood Programs in North Carolina

North Carolina district courts handle family matters in all 100 counties, with some counties having dedicated family court sessions. The Child Support Services Section operates under DHHS. Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem are the largest metros. Legal Aid of North Carolina is the primary LSC-funded statewide civil legal aid program.

15 Resources

1. NC Division of Social Services - Fatherhood Programs — Free

State-level fatherhood initiative providing resources, referrals, and programming to help NC fathers with parenting skills, employment, and child support navigation. Connects fathers to local fatherhood programs, parenting classes, job training, and legal resources statewide. Staff can help identify the right program for your situation. Call 919-527-6335 for referrals. Located at 820 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. All referral services are free.

919-527-6335 · 820 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Center for Child & Family Health — Paid

Durham-based nonprofit providing father engagement programs, trauma-informed parenting classes, and family therapy specializing in helping fathers build healthy relationships with children. Programs address parenting skills, emotional regulation, and co-parenting communication. Fees are on a sliding scale. Call 919-419-3474 to schedule an intake. Located at 1121 W Chapel Hill St, Durham. Services available in English and Spanish. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm.

919-419-3474 · 1121 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm · Visit Website

3. National Fatherhood Initiative — Paid

National organization with active NC partnerships providing fatherhood curricula including 24/7 Dad and InsideOut Dad used by programs across NC. Resources are available for incarcerated, military, newly separated, and new fathers. Local partner agencies deliver in-person fatherhood classes using these evidence-based curricula. Call 301-948-0599 or visit fatherhood.org to find a program near you. National organization serving NC remotely through local partners. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

301-948-0599 · National (serves NC remotely) · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. All Pro Dad - Raleigh/Triangle Chapters — Free

Active All Pro Dad chapters across the Triangle area hosting monthly school breakfast events helping fathers engage with their children's education and build lasting bonds. Events are held at participating schools before the school day and are free to attend. Father-child activities, discussion topics, and resources are provided. No registration required at most schools. Call 800-939-9414 or visit allprodad.com to find a chapter near your child's school in the Raleigh-Durham area.

800-939-9414 · Raleigh-Durham, NC (multiple school locations) · Monthly meetings; check website · Visit Website

5. Urban League of Central Carolinas - Fatherhood Initiative — Free

Charlotte-based fatherhood program providing job readiness training, parenting education, peer mentoring, and support groups for fathers in the Mecklenburg County area. Services include resume preparation, interview coaching, fatherhood classes, and connections to community resources. Call 704-373-2256 to learn about enrollment. Located at 740 W 5th St, Charlotte. Programs are free to eligible participants. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm. Spanish services available.

704-373-2256 · 740 W 5th St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm · Visit Website

6. NC Head Start - Father Engagement Programs — Free

Federal Head Start programs across NC with dedicated father engagement activities including Fatherhood Fridays, family literacy nights, and parenting workshops for dads of children ages 0-5. Father engagement coordinators help connect dads with school readiness activities and community resources. Programs are available at Head Start centers in all 100 NC counties. Call 919-527-6500 or use the Head Start locator to find your nearest center. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

919-527-6500 · 820 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. NC Cooperative Extension - Strengthening Families Program — Free

Evidence-based family strengthening program offered through NC State Extension offices in all 100 counties including dedicated father engagement modules and parenting education classes. The program builds communication skills, parenting confidence, and family resilience. Classes are offered in community settings and are free or low-cost. Call 919-515-2813 or contact your local NC State Extension office. Located at NC State University Campus Box 7606, Raleigh. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

919-515-2813 · NC State University, Campus Box 7606, Raleigh, NC 27695 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

8. Fathers Forever Coalition - Durham — Free

Durham nonprofit dedicated to strengthening father-child relationships through peer mentoring, support groups, co-parenting workshops, and community events for dads. Programs address communication skills, emotional bonding, and navigating custody situations. Events are held throughout the year. Call 919-680-4110 for program schedules and enrollment. Located in Durham, NC. All programs are free to participate. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. New dads and returning fathers are both welcome.

919-680-4110 · Durham, NC · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

9. OnTrack WNC - Father Engagement — Free

Asheville-based nonprofit providing financial counseling, parenting workshops, and father engagement services for families in western North Carolina. Programs include budgeting skills, debt management, co-parenting communication, and family stability planning. Financial counseling is available on a sliding scale. Call 828-253-5883 to schedule a consultation. Located at 50 S French Broad Ave, Suite 100, Asheville. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Walk-in financial counseling sessions available.

828-253-5883 · 50 S French Broad Ave, Suite 100, Asheville, NC 28801 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Communities In Schools of NC - Father Engagement — Free

Statewide network supporting at-risk students by engaging fathers in their children's education through school-based programs and community partnerships across NC. Father engagement coordinators work directly in schools to connect dads with academic support activities and resources. Programs include in-school mentoring, attendance campaigns, and family engagement events. Call 919-832-2700 for information. Located at 222 N Person St, Suite 203, Raleigh. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

919-832-2700 · 222 N Person St, Suite 203, Raleigh, NC 27601 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Urban Ministries of Durham - Father Support — Free

Durham nonprofit providing shelter, food assistance, and case management for homeless fathers helping with job placement, housing, and family reunification. Case managers work with fathers to build stability plans, connect with employment resources, and navigate child support or custody challenges. Call 919-682-0538 for intake. Located at 410 Liberty St, Durham. Bring ID and any documents related to your situation. Services are free. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

919-682-0538 · 410 Liberty St, Durham, NC 27701 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club - Fatherhood Activities — Free

After-school and summer programs across NC encouraging father involvement through family nights, mentoring activities, and educational programming. Programs provide safe spaces for children while giving fathers opportunities to participate alongside them. Family events and father-child activities are scheduled regularly. Call 704-334-1164 for Charlotte location info. Multiple NC locations. Located at 534 Spratt St, Charlotte for the main office. Programs are free or low-cost. Hours vary by location.

704-334-1164 · 534 Spratt St, Charlotte, NC 28206 (multiple NC locations) · After school and evenings; varies · Visit Website

13. NC Prison Re-Entry Fatherhood Programs — Free

Programs at NC correctional facilities helping incarcerated fathers maintain relationships with children through the InsideOut Dad curriculum, parenting classes, and re-entry planning. InsideOut Dad focuses on building parenting skills, emotional intelligence, and co-parenting communication from inside prison. Re-entry planning helps fathers prepare for family reunification upon release. Call 919-838-3500 for program access information. Located at 831 W Morgan St, Raleigh. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

919-838-3500 · 831 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27603 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

14. Fayetteville Urban Ministry - Fatherhood Support — Free

Faith-based nonprofit in Fayetteville providing fatherhood mentoring, job assistance, emergency financial aid, and family support services near Fort Liberty. Programs serve military veterans and civilians with employment coaching, fatherhood workshops, and crisis assistance for rent and utilities. Call 910-483-5959 for intake information. Located at 711 S Haymount Hill Ave, Fayetteville. Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. Services are free or sliding scale. Walk-ins welcome during open hours.

910-483-5959 · 711 S Haymount Hill Ave, Fayetteville, NC 28301 · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

15. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle — Free

Mentoring organization matching father figures and positive male role models with youth in Wake, Durham, Orange, and surrounding counties. One-to-one matches meet regularly for activities, academic support, and guidance. Site-based programs operate inside schools and community centers. Volunteer mentors are background-checked and trained. Call 919-699-8282 to learn about mentoring or enrolling a child. Located at 3000 Highwoods Blvd, Raleigh. Programs are free for participating youth.

919-699-8282 · 3000 Highwoods Blvd, Suite 210, Raleigh, NC 27604 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

Fatherhood Programs — Common Questions

What do fatherhood programs actually do?: Most combine peer support groups, parenting skill workshops, help navigating child support and custody, job training or placement, and — for fathers involved in the justice system — reentry services. Programs run 6–16 weeks typically, and most are free.
Who can join? Do I need custody?: Most fatherhood programs serve any dad regardless of custody status, marital status, or whether children live with them. Many specifically serve non-custodial fathers and fathers coming out of incarceration. A small number focus on specific populations (teen dads, reentry, veterans).
Are there programs for fathers who lost custody?: Yes. Programs like National Fatherhood Initiative's InsideOut Dad, Father Friendly Check-up-affiliated organizations, and many faith-based programs specifically support dads rebuilding relationships with kids after separation or incarceration.
How do fatherhood programs help with child support?: Many run 'Fatherhood Fridays' or similar collaborations with child support agencies that provide modifications for reduced income, arrears reduction for program completion, or bridge-the-gap job placements to help dads get current on orders.