Fort Worth‑based nonprofit NewDay Services for Children & Families continues to expand its FOCUS+ for Fathers program, a 10‑week course designed to help dads become positive influences in their children’s lives. The program, which began in 2002 to address delinquent child‑support payments, now serves fathers in 64 Texas counties and reaches nearly 2,000 parents each year.
From crisis to commitment
Juan Buitron, a Denton resident, entered the program after a child‑endangerment incident that led to involvement by Child Protective Services (CPS). At first he resisted, saying, “What am I doing here? I don’t need this. I don’t need any more lectures.” Over the ten weeks his attitude shifted. “I grew up without a father, so I have to try to better myself and be there for my kids,” Buitron explained. He now credits the course with giving him a clear “circle of control” – the idea that he can only change his own actions and attitude.
Program roots and growth
FOCUS+ was created by NewDay Services in 2002, originally targeting fathers who were delinquent in child‑support payments. By 2004 the nonprofit reported serving about 100 fathers. A 2008 partnership with CPS placed NewDay in the National Quality Improvement Center for Non‑Residential Fathers, prompting a statewide look at whether fathers receive a fair shake in the child‑welfare system.
Since then, the program has evolved. It now includes modules on co‑parenting, age‑appropriate discipline, managing frustration, and building a lasting family legacy. Courses are offered online, in Spanish, and include a focus on the “four characteristics” of a good dad: servant, leader, warrior, and companion.
Results backed by data
According to a 2015 study by the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services, FOCUS+ graduates were three times less likely to have parental rights terminated, 24 % more likely to participate in reunification, and 3.5 times more likely to be selected as the final placement for their child. Independent research by James Bell Associates, commissioned by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, found that fathers who completed the program reported higher confidence navigating the CPS system and greater willingness to cooperate with caseworkers.
Survey data collected from 798 fathers who completed the course between January 2023 and June 2024 show high satisfaction rates across all measured outcomes, including improved communication, problem‑solving, and understanding of healthy fatherhood models.
Leadership and faith‑based support
Bob Robinson, president and CEO of NewDay Services, emphasizes the program’s impact: “We see the change – CPS sees the change, the judge sees the change – and that’s why our parents have a better chance of getting their kids home.” Rev. Randy Thomas, a volunteer chaplain at Tarrant County family court, helped found NewDay as a divorce‑counseling center in 1997, underscoring the organization’s long‑standing commitment to preserving families.
NewDay’s vice president of programs, Diane Davis, notes that the curriculum centers the parents themselves, fostering trust and encouraging dads to view themselves as more than a paycheck. “They don’t realize they’re raising a future adult,” she said. “Once you realize that, you pour into them what you want.”
Expanding to mothers
In 2013 NewDay launched a parallel program for mothers, and in 2024 the organization reported serving 1,109 mothers alongside 805 fathers. The mother‑focused curriculum adds content on recognizing non‑physical abuse and building self‑worth, reflecting the organization’s holistic approach to family strengthening.
Local impact and future outlook
For fathers like Buitron, the program offers more than skills; it provides a legacy. He wrote a heartfelt letter to his two sons during the final class, pledging to be a steadfast presence in their lives. As NewDay continues to refine its curriculum and expand its reach, the hope is that more Texas families will benefit from a structured, evidence‑informed path to stronger parenting.
The success of FOCUS+ demonstrates how community‑based, faith‑informed initiatives can complement public‑sector efforts, offering practical tools that align with traditional family values and the constitutional right of parents to raise their children.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
