Watch Dogs Program

ALL ABOUT WATCH D.O.G.S Across America®

WATCH D.O.G.S. is a national innovative program focusing on the prevention of violence in our children’s schools by using the positive influence of fathers and father-figures for a two-fold purpose: (1) to provide an unobtrusive presence in schools, and (2) to be a positive and active role-model for children at their school.
WATCH D.O.G.S. Across America® is a non-profit organization which began in 1998 by Jim Moore, immediately after the Jonesboro, Arkansas, middle school shooting tragedy. WATCH D.O.G.S. operates for the objective as stated in its motto: “To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.”

Program benefits

The benefits of the program are many, according to WATCH D.O.G.S. Founder Jim Moore.
Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears. The presence of a father or father-figure enhances a sense of security at the building for students and staff and helps create an environment conducive to learning.

• Children gain a positive male role model. Many children do not have a father-figure present in their home and these children benefit when a positive male role model is present.
• Fathers get a glimpse of their child’s everyday world and learn about the increasingly complex challenges and decisions today’s youth are facing. As a result, they can learn to relate better to their child and hopefully connect with them.
• Fathers gain a greater awareness of the positive impact they can have on their child’s life in three critical areas including: academic performance, self esteem, social behavior.

Who are WatchDOGS (Dads Of Great Students)?

WatchDOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. school. During the day, WatchDOGS may read and work on flash cards with kids, play at recess, eat lunch with their child, watch the school entrances
and hallways, assist with traffic flow, mentor students, and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their child(ren), but other students as well. Their mere presence offers additional security at the school during the day! On the day of their participation, the participants are given a brief review of their involvement and they wear an official WATCH D.O.G.S. Across America® t-shirt or vest identifying them as WatchDOGS.

Program Recognition

The WATCH D.O.G.S. program has been recognized by the United States Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has been involved in the U.S. Department of Education’s P.F.I.E. (Partnership For Family Involvement In Education). The program has been recognized by on the floor of Congress as a program that “can be a great tool in our efforts to prevent school violence and the improve student performance because it can increase parental initiative and involvement in their children’s education.” (Congressional Record, February 7, 2000 page S392).

Program goals

• Raise the banner of positive fathering through the forum of schools across America and the world.
• Awaken fathers to the values and benefits of committed fathering.
• Change culture by where every child has a father or father-figure to connect with in a positive way at school.
• Help every school in America be positively impacted by the committed involvement of fathers and father-figures in their children's life.

For more information, visit our website at www.watchdogs.net e-mail [email protected] or call us at 1-888-540-DOGS (3647) to speak with a program developer.

Interested in becoming a Watch Dog?