- Massachusetts Probation Service
Media Contact for In the Courts and Community: Suffolk Superior Probation Officer Maurice Greaves Teaches Fathers How to Nurture Their Children
Coria Holland, Communications Director
Featured in the photo, from left to right, are fathers Paul Dickey, Francis O’Sullivan, Justice Robert Ullmann, John Monteiro, Probation Officer Maurice Greaves, Angel Jimenez-Cruz and Chief Probation Officer Michael Forbes
Suffolk Superior Court Probation Officer Maurice Greaves’ work with the Nurturing Fathers Program inspires fathers to be “more attentive and present” with their children. The 13-week evidence-based training course focuses on developing fathers who are on probation into “involved, emotionally, and physically present fathers,” according to Mr. Greaves. The program also encourages the fathers to be cooperative with their wives or mothers of their children.
The Nurturing Fathers Program is one of four Fatherhood Programs currently in operation in the Massachusetts Probation Service and exemplifies the theme for Massachusetts Pretrial and Probation Supervision Month, “Stronger Together.”
Mr. Greaves ran the Nurturing Fathers Program with Suffolk Superior Probation Officer Gregory Lauranzano this quarter resulting in five fathers graduating from the program. Probation Officer Greaves has previously worked with co-facilitator Massachusetts Trial Court Chief Experience and Diversity Officer John Laing.
“It is designed to help fathers address the challenges they faced when they were children themselves, according to Greaves. The curriculum features such topics as “Positive Discipline/Team Sports,” “Fathering Sons and Fathering Daughters,” “Ten Tips for Being a Great Dad,” “Nurturing Relationships Through Communication,” “Parenting Together/The Art of Teamwork,” “Teenage Children/A Parent’s Survival Kit,” and “Newborns/Being There for Mom and Baby.”
“It is extremely exciting to watch the men deal with their issues and it is also very rewarding to know that we are addressing crime and impacting recidivism. The men in the program are learning to be positive role models in society,” Greaves said.