Historically, Black fathers have been ignored in maternal health and infant care systems. However, research shows significant evidence when fathers are involved in maternal health and infant care:

• Babies are healthier at birth and  4 times more likely to celebrate their first birthday, less likely to experience Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and have improved learning and emotional development.
• Children are more likely to go to well-baby visits, have higher developmental scores and fewer behavior problems later in life.  (Rationale and Strategies for Engaging Fathers in Maternal and Infant Health Programs, June 2017) 

In 2018, the State of California established the Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI) to address the alarming gap in Black infant mortality statewide.  “Perinatal Equity Initiative is a state program established in June 2018 to address the causes of persistent inequality in African-American pregnancy outcomes and identify best practices to deal with health disparities in infant mortality by promoting the use of specific interventions designed to fill gaps in current programming offered through the Black Infant Health Program.”

In September 2021, San Bernardino Fatherhood was awarded a contract the San Bernardino County, Public Health Department, to provide fatherhood services to “fathers/partners of pregnant/parenting African American women with a child under one year” under the Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI). 

Fatherhood initiative is one of the interventions recognized by the State of California in eliminating Black infant mortality in our communities.  In the contract,  San Bernardino Fatherhood will provide the evidence-based 24/7 Dad Fathering program to “fathers/partners of pregnant/parenting African American women” as an intervention in reducing Black infant mortality. 

Developed by parenting and fatherhood experts, the 24/7 Dad Fathering program teaches men the characteristics and behavioral attitudes needed to be good Dads.