The Alabama Fatherhood Initiative
The DHR Fatherhood Initiative is a joint effort of the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Child Support Enforcement and Family Assistance divisions that began in Year 2000. The DHR Fatherhood Initiative was developed to further the welfare reform goal of strengthening families, enhancing child support collections and addressing other needs of children who are growing up without the involvement of natural fathers in their lives. The Alabama Department of Human Resources provides funding and technical assistance resources to develop and strengthen programs and services to fathers and families in our State.
A Partnership with the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Prevention Children’s Trust Fund
Beginning in 2000, DHR provided financial resources to the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Prevention Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) to award seed grants to over 30 fatherhood programs across the state. These grants have been awarded to communities through a yearly competitive grant process. Approximately one million dollars in TANF funds support a variety of programs that include employment and training, pregnancy prevention, character development and life skills classes with adolescent males; parenting classes with non-custodial males (including prison based programs); home visitation with non-custodial males; mediation with non/never married parents regarding visitation and custody issues; and community education sessions on the rights and responsibilities of fatherhood. DHR staff monitors these programs in cooperation with CTF. Faith-based organizations have played a significant role in this initiative.
The Alabama Fatherhood Initiative (AFI)
In 2002, DHR was instrumental in the formation of the Alabama Fatherhood Initiative (AFI), a unique and broad collaboration of public, private, non-profit and faith-based organizations that are networking to enhance the ability of non-custodial fathers and mothers to support their children and to have greater and more constructive involvement in the lives of their children. The AFI is committed to helping non-custodial fathers and mothers to develop and maintain positive relationships and to support their children by providing counseling, education, training and employment opportunities.
The Alabama Fatherhood Initiative(AFI) Short-Term Skills Training Pilot Project
In 2003, through the AFI network, DHR organized the AFI Short-term Skills Training Pilot Program in partnership with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Workforce Development Division and the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. This initiative provides short-term skills training and employment assistance to non-custodial fathers and mothers who are unable to meet their child support obligations due to underemployment or unemployment.
Working with the pilot programs at Gadsden State Community College – Gadsden Campus and Gadsden State Community College – Ayers Campus and Calhoun Community College, DHR provides technical assistance, performance monitoring and TANF funds to the institutions for short-term skills training assistance. Over ½ million dollars in child support have been collected from DHR non-custodial parents who have participated in this program.
Year 2004 Alabama Fatherhood Resource Directory
In 2004, DHR collaborated with Alabama Fatherhood Initiative member agencies and organizations to develop the Alabama Fatherhood Resource Directory. The Directory is a compilation of many of the fatherhood programs and resources across the state. The purpose of the Directory is to assist fathers and families to find programs and services in their local communities that address fatherhood needs and issues. It is available in hard copy to the public by calling telephone number 334-242-1773 and online at www.dhr.alabama.gov.
DHR also publishes the AFI Fatherhood and Healthy Families Quarterly Newsletter that is electronically distributed to AFI members and others to enhance communication about fatherhood happenings across the state throughout the year. The Newsletter is posted and archived at the DHR web site www.dhr.alabama.gov
Year 2004 The Alabama Conference on Fatherhood and Healthy Families
DHR has been a leader in the planning and implementation of the Alabama Conference on Fatherhood and Healthy Families. The first Conference with held in 2004. It is an annual event that attracts approximately 400 fatherhood and family practitioners, faith-based and secular organizations, parents, educators and counselors from throughout the state. Hosted by the National Institute for Human Development, a non-profit faith based organization, the conference offers an array of outstanding speakers, panelist and workshop presenters that provide valuable skills and information to strengthen fathers and families. Approximately 160 DHR county and state staff attend the conference each year.
Year 2005 - 2006 Partnership with the Alabama Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Through a contract agreement, DHR TANF funds are provided to the Alabama Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. The mission of the Campaign is to reduce teen pregnancy by serving as a catalyst for the development and implementation of community efforts; thereby, improving the physical, mental, emotional, and socioeconomic well being of children, families, and communities in Alabama. The Campaign works to build community wide support and offer resources for youth, teens, parents, faith and community leaders, healthcare professionals, the business community, and government officials.
See links below to Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama and to the National institute for Human Development for information about fatherhood programs and faith based partnerships.
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