Sixteen remarkable fathers are being recognized for going the extra mile to support their children and families as part of the June Honor A Father campaign. Fathers who participated in a home visiting or other early childhood prevention program during the last year were eligible for nomination. The honorees represent a diverse group of men who have demonstrated commitment to their families in both ordinary and extraordinary ways. Nominating organizations included Healthy Start, Healthy Families, Early Steps, Nurse Family Partnership and Parents as Teachers programs.
Award recipients and nominating agencies include:
- Phil Montero and Alkareem Brown, Treasure Coast Early Steps
- Wilmar Canezo, Healthy Families Pinellas
- Miguel Rosales, Eddie Parker, James Whitfield and Roberto Prieto, Bridges at Pahokee
- Hector Figueroa, Healthy Beginnings-Palm Beach
- Michael Kalagher, Healthy Families Pasco-Hernando
- Craig Pozner, Miami Children’s Hospital Southernmost Coast Early Steps
- Brandon Massey, Duval County Healthy Start
- Joseph Self and Michael Dawson, Healthy Families Bay
- Christopher Milne, Parents as Teachers+ Pinellas
- James Nelus, Nurse Family Partnership- Palm Beach
- Todd Cook , Magnolia Project Jacksonville
The honored fathers will receive a congratulatory letter from former NFL coach Tony Dungy, an award certificate and All-Pro Dad t-shirt. Nominating agencies will receive a New Parent Support Package from the National Fatherhood Initiative to support their father engagement efforts. The Honor A Father award was co-sponsored by Florida MIECHV and the Florida Department of Children & Families. Nominating profiles and photos are posted here. Congratulations to our 2014 honorees!