dc fathering court
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DC Fathering Court. What is the Fathering Court?. A program that offer non-custodial parents who have not been making child support payments in the District of Columbia, for a long time, a chance to make a fresh start. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
What is the Fathering Court?
A program that offer non-custodial parents who have not been making child support payments in the District of Columbia, for a long time, a chance to make a fresh start.The Fathering Court offers job training, counseling, a job, and support to get their lives back on track.
Overall Objective
To increase the number of non-custodial To increase the number of non-custodial parents contributing to the financial and parents contributing to the financial and emotional wellbeing of their children as emotional wellbeing of their children as measured by:measured by:
Compliance with outstanding child Compliance with outstanding child support orders;support orders;
Increased contact with their children; Increased contact with their children; and,and,
Improved co-parenting relationships with Improved co-parenting relationships with the custodial of their children.the custodial of their children.
DC Fathering Court Program
Parents will be educated, counseled and encouraged to place the needs of their children first.
It’s really about children and families
The Fathers Court will give non-custodial parents the tools to become financially and emotionally responsible for their children.
Participants
Participants are primarily referred by DC Superior Court, Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency (SCOSA) and Office of Attorney General Child Support Division (CSSD).
DC Superior Court Logo
The program will enroll 45 non-custodial ParentsThe program will enroll 45 non-custodial Parents
Eligibility
Fathers Court participation will be voluntary.
Participants must have child support orders for children who live in the District of Columbia.
The legal custodian/guardian must agree to support the overall efforts of the program.
Participation will be limited to non-custodial parents without a history of domestic violence and without prior convictions involving weapons or any other violent offenses. Non-custodial parents with serious unresolved mental health or substance abuse issues will not be eligible.
Eligibility cont.
Who Can Participate?
Be at least 18 years old and reside in the District of Columbia
Have an active child support obligation in the District of Columbia
Not have any prior convictions of child or sexual abuse. Anyone currently on the Child Offender Registry is not allowed to participate
Not have any prior convictions of domestic violence
Not have any ongoing chemical or substance abuse. Participants may be subject to drug testing if substance abuse issues arise
Not be currently receiving SSI or SSDI
Not be currently enrolled in high school
Fathers Court Program Design
Clear and objective goals for participants
Accountability to the Court
An individualized plan of action
Compliance encouraged by wide range of
rewards and sanctions
Measurable outcomes
Program Graduation
Fathers Fraternity
What can participants get out of it?
Job training & job placement
Bi-weekly support group meetings. A chance to discuss re-entry issues with other parents in the re-entry process
Personal financial management training
Program graduation
Fathering classes
Fathers Fraternity
Counseling & Treatment
Case Management
Court Supervision
A chance to build a relationship with your child(ren)
Father’s Fraternity
Following graduation participants will have the opportunity to join a Fathers' Fraternity that will:
partner with community based support groups.
serve as community-based continuum of holistic support
provide the graduates with an arena within which to address issues that arise in their daily lives.
Urban In
stitu
te
Court Services and Offender
Supervision Agency (CSOSA)
OAG
Child Support Service
Criminal Justice
Coordinating Council
Department of Human Services
Bureau of Prisons
University of the District of Columbia
Healthy Familie
s
Thriving
Communities Colla
borative
Council
DC Superior Court
If the parent is not empowered to
meet their children in their world;
the children will be left with no other
choice but to meet their parent in
their world.
Fathering Court Contact Information
Anyone interested in getting more information about the Fathering
Court should email Ron Scott, Program Director [email protected];
or
Call a CSSD Paternity and Community Outreach Specialist
202-724-2198.