Fatherhood initiative and related supports.

              INTERIM STUDY REPORT
Human Services Committee
Representative Pam Peterson, Chairperson
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Interim Study 11-088, Rep. Seneca Scott, et al.
October 18, 2011
Fatherhood Initiative and Related Supports
Calvin Williams, Director of Fatherhood Services
Public Strategies
o Fathers are an integral part of healthy children and families.
o Father involvement has a positive impact on the social, emotional and cognitive
development of children.
o Father non-involvement has negative consequences that also impact society.
o There are barriers and experiences that shape a father’s involvement in his child’s life; we
should assume that all fathers intend to parent well.
o The Oklahoma Marriage Initiative (OMI) is an example of a program that has been
successful in promoting marriage and family.
o Supports for all fathers should be available but especially for fathers with financial
barriers.
o 4 elements to a successful support system include: public awareness, public will, public
policy and public programs.
o Recommendations: Create an arrearage compromise statute; establish a user friendly
system for fathers to be able to petition the court for modification of child support or
visitation orders (similar to small claims court); and fund the Oklahoma Fatherhood
Network.
Robin Jones, Director
Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives
o Housed at DHS and funded by TANF funds.
o Purpose of the office is facilitation and, in this particular case, to help build a fatherhood
coalition. The office works with many partners in communities across the state to
establish a network of supports.
o Hosted the 2010 Fatherhood Forum and approximately 75 people attended. They were
challenged to do just one thing. By focusing on one small thing you can obtain big
results.
Leon Skillens III, Fatherhood Program Coordinator/Chairperson
Tulsa Fatherhood Coalition, Tulsa Health Department
o Part of Tulsa Healthy Start. They work to reduce infant mortality.
o Fatherhood is a public health epidemic. It is a public health emergency requiring
investigation.
o There are 24 million children in the U.S; 1 in 3 lives a household where the biological
father is absent.
o 38% of these children live in poverty.
o Fatherhood, as a role, has become less important and even expendable.
o A culture of “fatherlessness” has evolved.