FAQ: HERO Dads Program
HERO Dads Program
Healthy. Empowered. Resilient. Open.
FAQ’s
What is the HERO Dads (Healthy, Empowered, Resilient, and Open) program?
HERO is a FREE, federally funded program that offers non-custodial parents (both Fathers and Mothers) a combination of relationship/parenting skills workshops, financial empowerment, and family support services.
What are some of the topics discussed during the workshops?
Some of the topics discussed during the HERO Dads workshops are healthy communication skills (speaking, listening, initiating difficult topics), parenting skills, sore spots/hidden issues, managing stress and other emotions, and co-parenting.
How long are the workshops?
The workshops are 1-2 hours per day, 4 days per week, and include relationship, parenting, and employment workshops. Parents are also provided with individual parenting and career coaching sessions, 1 hour each, per week.
In summary, parents are expected to be available for 4 Workshops + 2 Coaching Sessions Weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. We offer AM and PM options; 9AM-11AM or 6PM-8PM.
Who are the facilitators of the workshops? Where do workshops take place?
Workshops are facilitated by 2 relationship educators (licensed mental health counselors and/or psychologists). HERO is now providing its services both virtually AND in-person. Parents are randomly assigned to either a virtual workshop series or an in-person workshop series.
What does the enrollment process look like?
- Speak with a HERO Recruiter to confirm eligibility
- Schedule In-person Clinical and Financial Intakes
- Complete Clinical and Financial Intakes (approximately 1.5 hours)
- Complete Pre-Workshop Surveys (approximately 30-45 minutes)
Are couples permitted to bring their children to In-person workshops?
No. HERO doesn’t provide childcare services. Incentives provided by HERO (up to $450, distributed in electronic gift cards) can be utilized to support payment of independent childcare services.
Does HERO provide meals during workshops?
Yes. HERO provides meals for parents participating in in-person workshops. For workshops taking place in the morning, breakfast is provided. For weeknights, dinner is provided.
Does HERO assist with transportation to and from the workshops?
Yes. HERO provides a round-trip metrocard for each person attending in-person workshops for every service visit for 4 weeks.
Do both partners need to attend the workshop or can just one of use attend?
Both partners are expected to attend all workshops while participating in SHR. If one partner misses a workshop, but the other attends, both partners still need to make up the workshop to receive their full incentives.
Do you provide workshops and services in different languages?
Yes. HERO workshops are facilitated in both English and Spanish.
What if I don’t feel comfortable talking in a group? Can I learn the material individually?
SHR encourages couples to be receptive to participate in our program in a group setting. SHR understands that couples may feel uncomfortable discussing some intimate concerns in the group; therefore, couples are provided with at least one private booster session with a relationship coach while participating in the program. Unfortunately, couples are not able to receive the material individually.