MENU Father & Child Resource Center The Father and Child Resource Center (FCRC) was created in 2000 by the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition to address the issue of father absence within the county. The Center provides valuable support to encourage men to become more involved and committed fathers by offering parenting classes to all fathers, legal assistance for those fathers who are separated from their children, and parenting workshops to other agencies. Did you know? One in every three children will go to bed in a home with no father present. A divorce rate of 50% and an unwed birth rate, which has soared to 45% over the last 30 years, have resulted in a fatherhood crisis. In Martin County the divorce rate is higher than the national level; births to unwed parents has risen to almost 50%. In the physical or emotional absence of a father, children are: Twice as likely to be involved in crime 77% more at risk of physical abuse Five times more likely to live in poverty Twice as likely to abuse drugs or alcohol Twice as likely to become pregnant as teenagers Children with involved fathers display: Better cognitive outcomes even as infants Higher self-esteem and less depression as teenagers Higher grades, test scores, and overall academic achievement Lower levels of drug and alcohol use Higher levels of empathy and other pro-social behavior Program/resource descriptions FCRC activities are focused on five major areas: Fatherhood Education Participation in childbirth education at Martin Memorial Hospital Fatherhood Classes at the Martin County Jail For related information, visit: www.dadlabs.com Strengthening Families Promotion of Paternity Acknowledgement for unwed Fathers Monthly family law forums to address issues separating fathers from children For related information, visit: dor.myflorida.com/dor or www.circuit19.org Individual Counseling for Fathers One on One counseling Group session counseling Home Visits For related information, visit: fatherhood.org/247dad/ Positive Role Modeling Public awareness and special events to highlight responsibly fatherhood Take Your Dad To School Day For related information, visit: www.sbmc.org (https://www.allprodad.com/)[Opens new window] Teen Prevention Responsible Parenting Education for all youth in Martin County For related information, visit: www.thenationalcampaign.org Martin County Healthy Start Coalition 963 SE Federal Hwy Stuart, FL 34994 Telephone: 772-463-2141 * 772-463-2888 Fax: 772-463-2165 Email:info@mchealthystart.org Facebook Please consider making us your Amazon charity of choice. Click here for our Amazon shopping wish list. Martin County Healthy Start Coalition Thanks Our Many Funders © 2021 Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc. All Rights Reserved.