Senate committee hears testimony on Michigan
fatherhood initiatives
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
LANSING - In recognition of February as Responsible
Fatherhood Awareness Month, the Senate Families and Human Services Committee
discussed Tuesday the status of various fatherhood initiatives in Michigan, said
Sen. Randy Richardville.
"It is important for children to have a strong father figure in their lives,"
said Richardville, R-Monroe. "One of the best indicators of a child's long-term
success is the level of parental involvement. Michigan is fortunate to have
projects that encourage fathers to develop strong, positive relationships with
their children."
Victoria Brown of El Shaddai Counseling and Consultation Services in Monroe and
Sen. Richardville testified about the Proud Fathers program in Monroe County and
its impact on the community.
"There are so many programs available for women," said Brown. "This is a unique
program that targets fathers to highlight the importance of the role of the male
in the lives of their children."
Proud Fathers, funded by the Department of Human Services, is a 14-week
group-based series for fathers or other male caretakers of children that
stresses the importance of nurturing relationships between parents and children
as well as family self-sufficiency.
In addition to helping the general public, El Shaddai collaborates with the
Monroe County Youth Center to offer the Proud Fathers program to incarcerated
youth who have children or those who plan on having children in the future.
"Separation from parents in prison can be devastating to children so working
with this specific group of fathers is especially important," Richardville said.
Fathers who actively participate in the lives of their children reduce the risks
of childhood poverty, child mental illness, juvenile delinquency, youth sexual
activity, teenage pregnancies, substance abuse, and failure to complete high
school.
The next Proud Fathers program will begin on March 1, 2008. For more
information, contact Victoria Brown at
734-240-0372 or visit www.elshaddaicc.com.
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Editor's note: A photograph of Sen. Richardville and Victoria Brown testifying
before the committee is available on the Senate Majority Photowire, located at:
http://www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/photowire.asp?District=17.
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