Article archive / April 1, 2013
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 8. Source pages: 9.
HB 572 by Bishop establishes the “Fatherhood First Initiative.” “Present law establishes a program to be known as the "Fatherhood Initiative" to promote the positive involvement and interaction of fathers with their children with an emphasis on children eligible or formerly eligible for services funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. Proposed law retains present law but renames the program to the "Fatherhood First Initiative".
“Present law requires the program to identify those services that effectively encourage and enhance responsible and skillful parenting and those services that increase the ability of fathers to meet the financial and medical needs of their children through employment services and child support enforcement measures. The objectives of the program shall be to: (1) Promote public education concerning the financial and emotional responsibilities of fatherhood. (2) Assist men in preparation for the legal, financial, and emotional responsibilities of fatherhood. (3) Promote the establishment of paternity at childbirth. (4) Encourage fathers, regardless of marital status, to foster their emotional connections to and financial support of their children. (5) Establish support mechanisms for fathers in their relationships with their children, regardless of their marital and financial status. (6) Integrate state and local services available for families.
“Proposed law retains present law and adds the objective to promote public education concerning and increase public awareness of resources for the following areas: (1) Substance abuse and addiction. (2) Anger management and conflict resolution.(3) Fiscal awareness and financial literacy. (4) Parenting skills, child developments, and family studies. Proposed law requires the secretary of the Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to convene and chair a Fatherhood First Council no later than Oct. 1, 2013. The secretary shall seek the advice and participation of any person, organization, or state or federal agency deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of proposed law.”
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