The Geary County Perinatal Coalition has created a Fatherhood Advisory Council with the help of the Kansas Children’s Services League.

Jill Nelson, Program Director Geary County Perinatal Coalition explained that the council will work to create a welcoming environment for Geary County Dad’s so that they feel invested and a part of the process.

“This is like the next step of Delivering Change, we’ve kind of evolved,” said Nelson. “We focus on mom and baby and we’ve always had the support person there as an important piece, but now we are adding this new component which really focuses on dads.”

The Fatherhood Advisory Council has met twice so far and consists of nine Geary County dads. Nelson explained that they will be responsible for deciding where they want to take the project.

“Right now they have been forming their council. They have identified themselves, they gave themselves a name, they’re going to be known as ‘Geared Up Dads’, is what it’s called.”

Nelson went on to explain that the group has had a lot of discussion on things that they want to accomplish and a couple of the ideas include providing education, and creating groups for dads to get together with their kids and work with each other.

Dads interested in joining the Fatherhood Advisory Council can contact Nelson at Delivering Change by phone at 785-238-0300 or by email at jnelson@gchks.org.