Georgia Fatherhood Program

Presenter: Agent Name

Presentation to: Potential Fatherhood Participants

Date: Varies

Georgia Department of Human Services 4-2014

Georgia Fatherhood ProgramBefore we get started:

• Did everyone sign in?• Do you have the invitation letter from your agent?• If you are uncomfortable sharing personal

information, it will be discussed privately.• Is everyone able to read, hear, and understand the

English language?

Vision, Mission and Core ValuesVision

Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia.

MissionStrengthen Georgia by providing Individuals and Families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults.

Core Values• Provide access to resources that offer support and empower Georgians and

their families. • Deliver services professionally and treat all clients with dignity and respect.

Manage business operations effectively and efficiently by aligning resources across the agency.

• Promote accountability, transparency and quality in all services we deliver and programs we administer.

• Develop our employees at all levels of the agency.

About the Fatherhood ProgramMission Statement:

The Fatherhood Program will work to assist non-custodial parents (NCPs) in locating resources leading to career employment paying above minimum wage, increasing the NCP’s self-sufficiency, and to encourage increased emotional, parental and financial involvement in the lives of their children.

General Purpose:To provide a process by which the Fatherhood Program staff will develop and deliver services and resources to program participants. The Fatherhood Program is an employment based program that offers services to include short term training, resume writing, coaching and mentoring.

About the Fatherhood Program

• The Fatherhood Program is:– An enforcement tool– A voluntary program (unless participation is court ordered)– A positive way our agency is assisting you with your court order– Focused on enabling those ordered to pay child support to be

fully employed at a living wage which will enable them to live and pay their child support.

Benefits of Program Participation • Job Search • Education and/or Trade Certificates • Review/Modification & State Debt Reduction• Access, Visitation, & Legitimization Resources• Active Participation Enforcement Actions Delay• Continuous Coaching and Mentoring• Career Fairs

NCP Barriers• Job Search

– Lack of Experience– Education– Transportation– Criminal Record

• Communication– Local Child Support Office– Direct Contact with Fatherhood Agent– Conflicts arising from Custodial Parent

Helpful Resources• Federal Bonding Letter• Department of Labor Career Centers• Staffing/Temporary Employment Agencies• Job Hunting Websites• Adult Learning Centers• Georgia Hope Grant for Technical Education

Department of Labor Resources

– Job skills - ID your skills– Professionalism - Dress for Success– Communication - Following Up– Completing Applications - Employment Applications– Writing Resumes & Cover Letters – Job Search

Fatherhood Program Expectations• Pay Child Support (Responsibility to Family)

– Current Payment Status – Payment requirements while in the program

• Communication – Attend initial Accountability Session– Participate in Recurring Accountability Sessions

• Treat the program as your Job!• DOL Registration (2 days)• Job Search (Immediately)• Report New Employment (2 days)• Utilize Community Resources

Completion• Successful Completion

– Working and paying child support for 60 consecutive days– No waiting period to reenter (if re-entry is necessary)

• Unsuccessful Participation (This will result in resumption of enforcement activities)

– Failure to pay Child Support – Failure to meet program expectations – 3 month waiting period to re-enter

Required Documents• Participation Agreement/Terms & Conditions

• Intake Assessment

• Service Plan

• DCSS Factsheet

Enrollment Workshop Handouts

What’s Next?• Driver’s License Release

– Suspension due to non payment of child support– Next Steps– Criteria

• Initial Accountability Session – Date – Time – Location

• Initial Service Plan Assignments

QUESTIONS