Who We Are
The Male Involvement Network (MIN) represents a diverse collaborative of service providers and institutional partners that create a supportive community for non-custodial fathers and operate an innovative service model designed to simultaneously support the development of men in their role as fathers and to support their own personal and economic stability (e.g., education, job, health, housing).  Ultimately, these investments in supporting men to improve their role as fathers will produce better outcomes for their children.  

MIN helps a man develop his own capacity to engage positively in his children’s lives and to support his children emotionally, socially and financially. The Male Involvement Network couples strong case management, mentoring and emotional support to meet the needs of men who want to have responsible, nurturing relationships with their children. No stronger motivation exists for improvement than wanting to be a better father and a better male role model.  

Healthy men build healthy relationships. Through partnership, collaboration and support, MIN members join involved fathers in a shared commitment to excellent outcomes for children. MIN, a state certified Fatherhood Program, advocates for laws and policies that promote responsible fatherhood at the local, state and federal level. MIN’s innovative program is a model for the region, the state and the nation. 

A management team consisting of representatives from the New Haven Family Alliance, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven-New Haven Healthy Start and The Consultation Center guides the strategic development of the Male Involvement Network. MIN is funded by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven in partnership with New Haven Healthy Start, Empower New Haven and the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services.

History
In 1997, Barbara Tinney, Executive Director of the New Haven Family Alliance, Inc. began a dialogue with community leaders about increasing the role and responsibility of non-custodial fathers.  Amos Smith, now CEO of the Community Action Agency, and Sarah Fabish, Senior Program Officer, at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, worked with Healthy Start and the New Haven Family Alliance to launch the Male Involvement Network (MIN): a collaboration of local and state direct service providers, administrators, consumers, and funders.

The founders helped the community understand the needs of fathers (as well as their children and family members).  In response, the community developed a model that included eight core interventions based on best practices:  

• Education about fathers’ roles and skill-based education
• Employment placement, retention and career development
• Family/child support to navigate the support enforcement system and meet financial obligations to children
• Health as healthy fathers contribute to healthy families and communities
• Housing for fathers and families
• Legal consultation services
• Mediation access and visitation with a focus on co-parenting
• Outreach and case management  to engage fathers, coordinate and track services