1. FATHERHOOD CONNECTIONS PROGRAM
LUCAS COUNTY
FATHERHOOD CONNECTIONS PROGRAM
Helping Fathers Become Better Dads

2. In the beginning… CSEA JFS
Lucas County began the process of legally merging the two agencies and in January the agencies were officially merged
Department of Job & Family Services - Division of Child Support Services
Workgroups were formed and began the process of merger integration
The national information on Family Centered Innovations improves Child Support outcomes
CSEA
JFS

3. LCDJFS identified $300,000 in available TANF funds.
Working with our new co-workers we reviewed national research on comprehensive “best practice” approaches that accomplish three core functions:
Support child well-being by increasing the economic stability of both the custodial and non-custodial households = employment for the non-custodial father and increase in support payments to the custodial parent
Strengthen father-child relationships and the ability of parents who are separated or divorced to co-parent effectively
Early intervention – making the difference before the family challenges and support arrearage become insurmountable
Following our research we built our program model, conducted a competitive bid and formed an interdisciplinary planning team – JFS, CSEA, LCJC, Public Defenders and Network (our One Stop Operator).
After four months of careful planning Fatherhood Connections started in January 2012.

5. DEMOGRAPHICS – Lucas County
Over 2,400 Non Custodial Fathers
Over $4million owed in arrears

6. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Services are individualized and focus on family engagement, employment and economic stability and may include:
Skills assessments and development of personal service plan
GED preparation
Job matching, job development and job search assistance
Reuniting fathers with their children by providing the Nurturing Fathers Program and other supportive services and by assisting with visitation through mediation and other legal processes.
Modifying child support orders
Removes barriers to employment by:
Reinstating driver’s license
Removing civil warrants
Resolving legal issues and linking to needed treatment and intervention services

7. Program Launched -January 17, 2012
CONNECTIONS WITH OUR PARTNERS
Lucas County Juvenile Court: Established a Dedicated Docket for this program and assigned one Magistrate to preside over the Docket. Additional services critical to the project include assigned Defense Attorneys.
Lucas County Department of Job & Family Services: Provided $300,000 of TANF funds and managed the procurement process. Additionally, LCDJFS provides ongoing staff support for contract management, program planning and oversight and program evaluation.
Division of Child Support: Identified fathers (obligors) who are between the ages of years old. CSEA files a motion to show cause for those fathers who meet program criteria and assigns them to the Dedicated Docket. CSEA dedicated an attorney and legal support staff to the project. Recently, Tablet technology, and a dedicated assigned Case Manager have been developed.
Network Division of Zepf: Provides comprehensive case management, a comprehensive assessment, development of individualized case plans, employment assistance, and facilitates linkage to needed legal and other services .
Center for Hope: Provides the nationally evaluated Nurturing Fathers Program.
Program Launched -January 17, 2012

8. Fatherhood Connections
Assist the father to access services in the community that help them meet their fathering responsibilities , while guiding fathers in meeting their child support requirements.
Provide the fathers ideas and support on how to be a good father and a positive role model for their children.
Provide resume, pre-employment testing and job search assistance.
Support the ability of both parents to work together to parent their child(ren).

9. Fatherhood Connections Services
Job Skills Training
Job Seeking Skills
Job Development
Job Readiness Services
Basic Skill Development
Mentoring
Father Nurturing Classes
Educational Assistance – College, GED or Tutoring Services
Professional Attire /Grooming
Family Fun Activities for Dads and their children

10. Participant demographics
49% High School Diploma
45% No GED or Diploma
Average Number of children per father is 3
84% African American
11% White
5% Hispanic
Fathers come from zip codes in high poverty areas of Toledo
Data is based on 85 unduplicated Fatherhood Connection clients from January 1, 2012 to November 8, 2012

11. PROJECT ACTIVITY PROJECTED GOALS FATHERHOOD TOTAL 100% *86% 77% 78%
Community Referrals
95% of the fathers will be referred to appropriate community resources
100%
Nurturing Father’s Program
85% will increase their knowledge and awareness regarding parenting
*86%
Child Support Contributions
85% of the fathers enrolled will increase their child support payments
77%
Job Placement Services
75% of the fathers will secure employment
78%
Mentoring and Skill Development
75% of the fathers who spend at least 50 hours in classes or tutoring will increase their test scores and/or obtain a GED
These totals are based upon the LCDJFS Performance Measures Form for Grant year FFY 2012
Projected number to be served: 50-75
Fatherhood Connections served a total of 65 fathers by the end of September
* 86% is the 3rd Quarter Total

12. What Makes Us Unique?
Fatherhood Connections located at the WIA One Stop
Centralized in downtown Toledo
Multiple Support Services in one location such as:
Community College
Occupational & Basic Skills Training
GED Classes
Job & Family Services
(Access to Food Stamps TANF & Daycare)
Veteran Services
Workforce Development
Employer of the Day Seminars
Job Fairs
Parenting Classes
Mentoring
Professional Development Classes

13. Fatherhood Dress for Success
Shoe/clothing Drive

14. Center Of Hope Nurturing Parenting Classes
Center of Hope Facilitators. From L to R: Rev. Brown, Rev. Robert Bass, Tracee Perryman (Director of Center of Hope), Rev. Calvin Sweeney, PhD., and Rev. Ben Green
A Nurturing Father’s class in session in our classroom area.

15. Nurturing Father’s Graduates

16. Fatherhood Connections Team
Daniel B. Johnson Ron Burel Thomas Boyd
Coordinator Job Developer Job Developer

17. What are the fathers saying…
“I just had another child and now I have a chance to start over.”
“Now more than ever I want to spend time with my child.”
“I wish someone would have taught me all of this before.”
“I have learned how to talk to my child at their level.”

18. Family Fun

19. TELLING OUR STORY… Media Internal External Faith Based Community
County Partners
Public
Moms & Dads
Legal Community
CSEA Attorney & Defense Attorneys
Photos courtesy of the Toledo Blade

20. Our Progress… Lessons Learned
Define successful completion of the program
Data Collection Early Findings
70 – 80% Show rate on Motions to Show Cause
How was paternity established
Arrears (Assigned or Unassigned)
License Suspended
Payments (Obligor, Employer, Involuntary Payments etc)
In the first quarter over $12,000 support paid
Additional Support Services
Mediation to establish Visitation and Companionship Orders
Review and Adjustments
Waiver and Compromise

21. Where Do we go from Here?
Our stakeholder meetings keep the project on track
Continuous review of the data leads to ongoing program improvements
Exploring the addition of young fathers ordered into the program via an Administrative Order
Grant seeking to support target population expansion and supportive services
Summer 2013 funds for employment

22. RESOURCES Website www.co.lucas.oh.us www.thesourcenwo.org
Facebook – LIKE US!
Lucas County Department of Job & Family Services
Fatherhood Connections Group
Child Support Self Service Portal