More Social, Family & Housing Policy Plays

At a minimum, fathers should be held financially responsible for supporting their children through tough child support enforcement laws and sanctions. But wherever possible, fathers should become involved in supporting their children with personal time and attention in addition to dollars. Mounting evidence indicates that growing up without a father can have serious destructive effects on a child. For example, children in single-parent homes are more likely to be impoverished and less likely to finish school. They are also more likely to engage in destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse or delinquency.

Creating a program to promote responsible fatherhood can reduce fatherlessness, encourage fathers to pay child support, and help dads play a meaningful role in their children's lives. Of the many state and local fatherhood initiatives that have arisen in recent years, a number have received widespread attention. These model programs put dads on the dual track toward financial and emotional responsibility for their children by offering a two-part package of services job assistance coupled with social services counseling. The basis for this dual approach stems from the fact that many fathers of poor children are often severely disadvantaged themselves. These dads, in other words, are more often "dead broke" than deadbeat.

"We can't legislate good parenting. But the federal government can partner with the outstanding work already being done in our communities and bring resources to assist the efforts of state and local governments, and community groups." -- U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, Indiana

An example of a model fatherhood initiative is the program run by the Center for Urban Families (CFUF), based in Baltimore. The program specifically tailors its services to meet the particular needs of each father. For example, a father in need of employment is placed in CFUF's Support and Training Results in Valuable Employee (STRIVE) program -- an intensive three-week job readiness program based on a model developed by the East Harlem Employment Service. Currently, STRIVE has national centers in Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Boston, which together secures local, private-sector employment for more than 3,000 people each year. Participants undergo mock interviews and training in workplace expectations, such as punctuality, appropriate dress, and other "soft skills" critical to employers. STRIVE also helps participants find jobs, often through one of their local business partners. Seventy-five percent of STRIVE participants graduate. Graduates are monitored for two years after leaving the program and are given further assistance in job retention if necessary. Nearly four out of five of STRIVE's alumni have maintained employment.

CFUF's Men's Services program also offers such diverse services such as parenting education, a peer support group, domestic violence counseling, and a "co-parenting advisory group" to assist fathers in working out visitation, custody, and other parenting arrangements. Program participants are also helped in dealing with the legalities of settling child support arrearages.

Another model program is the KeysToWork initiative in Indianapolis, which takes what it calls a "responsibilities and rewards" approach to getting and keeping its participants employed. The program provides participants with a full array of traditional job placement services, such as resume building and job readiness training, as well as other supports, including assistance with uniform purchases, transportation, and help in finding affordable housing. KeysToWork has had remarkable success in collecting child support from non-custodial parents involved in the program, especially since many of its participants are ex-offenders, approximately one-half have a high school diploma or GED, and many carry substantial debt at the time they enter the program. The program has collected more than $1 million from non-custodial parents involved in the program.

Promoting responsible fatherhood means: