In 2022, the Florida State Legislature formally designated the month of June as Responsible Fatherhood Month. For the first time in June of 2024, nonprofits, state agencies and leaders, fueled by the Father First media campaign, were active in bringing awareness across Florida for what it means to be a father.
The Responsible Fatherhood Initiative’s Father First media campaign resulted in 83 million impressions during the month of June. Advertisements promoting fatherhood involvement were placed using a diverse multi-media strategy approach – shown on streaming TV, YouTube, Google, Facebook, Instagram, digital display, digital radio, X, Snapchat, and billboards across the state. Father First also released a special Father’s Day Video. As a result, the Father First website saw 248,564 views in the month of June.
Also throughout the month, notable Floridians engaged in promotion and celebration efforts. WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil held a free Father’s Day Celebration for fathers at the Midflorida Amphitheatre in Tampa. University of Central Florida Football Coach Gus Malzahn wrote an opinion piece titled, “Fatherhood is the best coaching job.”
Additional promotional efforts in June involved a “How I Dad” Challenge, where non-profit organizations and state leaders shared videos and pictures to their social media showing unique ways that they “dad.” Many of those posts can be seen on the Father First social pages. The Florida Department of Children and Families also shared a video that displayed Florida governmental leaders discussing the importance of fatherhood.
