3FA - Father Friendly Flagship Agencies
The Strong Families Commission, Incorporated (THE COMMISSION) is dedicated to making Philadelphia the most father-friendly city in America. To achieve this, THE COMMISSION advocates for strengthening families and improving developmental outcomes for children through greater father and family involvement and the intentional transformation of social service agencies and systems of care that serve communities and families.
In pursuit of this goal, THE COMMISSION launched a multi-year initiative focused on building father-inclusive practices across Philadelphia.
Through the 3FA framework, organizations commit to transforming their service delivery models to intentionally welcome and support fathers.
Each 3FA agency, policymaker, and community leader has a role to play in transforming how services for fathers and families are designed, delivered, and sustained.
Moving the 3FA agenda forward means working together to build systems of care that fully recognize and include fathers as essential partners in the well-being of children and families.
Advancing the 3FA Movement
In April 2016, following a four-year period of continuous learning and collaboration, 25 Philadelphia agencies dedicated to children, youth, and family support were recognized and certified as Father Friendly Flagship Agencies (3FAs). Two years later, in January 2018, 12 of those agencies earned full accreditation as 3FAs. These organizations include child and family service providers, youth institutions, and governmental policy centers that shape and deliver essential services impacting the lives of children, parents, and extended families throughout the community.
All 3FA agencies were invited to advance toward national certification in partnership with the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) and The Strong Families Commission, Inc. To qualify, agencies were required to uphold the 3FA standards established in the project “The Integration of Responsible Fatherhood Within Foster Care Service Delivery and Other Children and Youth Servicing Systems.” Each participating organization also committed to an ongoing community of learning, meeting formally at least four times a year.
To maintain eligibility, agencies were required to:
Provide proof of Board endorsement recognizing father integration as a core organizational priority.
Implement the strategic plan developed during the 3FA Certification Process.
Collaborate with THE COMMISSION and CWLA to refine certification criteria and develop educational tools that support successful implementation.
Share their learning and best practices through CWLA webinars, conferences, and publications to help expand the movement nationwide.
Out of the original 25 agencies that earned initial 3FA recognition, 17 petitioned for full accreditation, and 12 successfully completed the program in 2018, becoming officially accredited Father Friendly Flagship Agencies. Plans for reaccreditation began in 2020 but were temporarily halted as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted national priorities and resources.