What is a father’s role?

Finding out you are going to be a dad can be overwhelming. Your initial reaction may be one of shock or of denial, but you aren’t alone. We have services to help fathers too. Our professional staff is available to provide you with education and support so you can make an informed decision and participate in the right plan for your child and for you.

Services for Fathers:

• Meet with you and the mother of your child or if needed meet with you separately
• Answer questions about your role and responsibilities
• Education and support on prenatal care, child birth, parenting and adoption
• Help you talk to your family about your options and your role
• Boot Camp for New Dads, a class just for dads on newborn care and safety
• 24/7 Support Group
• Connections to resources available in your community

Confidential, Toll-Free, 24/7: 1.877.420.4747

Questions & Answers

What if I don’t think I’m the father?
If the child’s mother names you as the father and you disagree, you can choose to take a paternity test. You will be responsible for contacting a company to provide the testing and to pay for the test. The mother of the child will need to agree to the testing. This is the most powerful tool to determine paternity.

As a Father, What is My Role?
It is never an easy situation when you find out that your girlfriend/spouse/significant other is pregnant. You may have envisioned becoming a father years from now or perhaps not at all. We know that you may have a lot of questions regarding your rights and your role during this process, whether you and the mother of your child decide to parent or choose adoption.

Why is it important to establish if I am the father?
It is important to all of us to know who we are and where we come from. Your child has a right to know his or her parents. And you have a right to know that you have a child and the right to know your son or daughter. It is also important for your child to be given the financial and loving support he or she needs from both parents.

What if I don’t think I am the father?
If the child’s mother names you as the father and you do not agree, you can choose to take a paternity test. You will be responsible for contacting a company that provides paternity testing as well as paying for the test. The mother of the child will need to agree to the testing. This testing is the most reliable and powerful method of proving or disproving if you are the father.

Where can I go for paternity testing and who will pay for it?
If you volunteer for paternity testing, the State of Nebraska will pay for the testing if the child’s mother receives Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) or medical insurance, Medicaid, support from the State. If the child’s mother does not receive assistance through the State, you are responsible to pay for the paternity testing. If you are ordered by the court and proven as the father, you may be asked to pay back the money to the State of Nebraska. Please call us at Nebraska Children’s Home Society for further resources available to you in your local area or call the DNA Diagnostic Center at 1-800-DNA-CENTER for more information.

What support is expected from me as the father?
You are legally responsible to provide financial support for your child. Please understand that your child is entitled to financial support. You are expected to pay support based on the mother’s and your income. In addition, you may be ordered to provide health insurance and help pay the cost of your child’s birth or medical expenses.
A father can also provide emotional support to his child. A child benefits in many ways from establishing and maintaining a relationship with his or her father. A father plays an important role in his child’s life. To learn more about this please call us at Nebraska Children’s Home Society. Our professional staff can provide education and support to you as you make a plan for your child.

What rights does the father have?
If the father does not think he is the father, he has the right to paternity testing and the right to hire an attorney. If he is the father, he has the right to ask the courts for custody or visitation rights. In addition, if he signs the Acknowledgement of Paternity form, the mom and he can ask that his name be shown on the birth certificate.

What if I want adoption and the mother of our child chooses to single parent?
Ultimately, the mother must sign relinquishments to complete the adoption plan. If the mother does not choose to relinquish her rights and decides to parent that is her right. We encourage fathers and mothers to consider what is in the best interest of their child and Nebraska Children’s Home Society is here to help during this difficult decision. Whether the decision is made by the mother to parent or a plan is made to place your child with an adoptive family, we advocate for and encourage involvement and support from the father. For more information please contact Nebraska Children’s Home Society or email us at support@nchs.org.

How we can help.
We can provide you with education and support on the options of parenting and adoption. If the mother of your child is receiving services from NCHS and you would prefer to work with a separate caseworker, we can arrange that for you. Our services are confidential and with no obligations. This service is provided at no cost to you or to the mother of your child. Remember, you can call our toll-free number at any time- 800-390-6754 or reach a caseworker at a local office or email us at support@nchs.org.
There are no obligations. We are here to help you no matter what you decide. Our goal is to provide you with education and support so that you are able to make the best plan for your child and for you.

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