Safe Children Coalition hosts first-of-its kind Fatherhood Initiative regional gathering

In the child welfare realm, it is not uncommon for fathers or paternal family members to be absent during the case planning process, particularly in comparison to mothers or maternal figures. Since 2006, the National Fatherhood Initiative has been working to better understand the challenges of paternal involvement and helping child welfare agencies to address it.

Local child welfare organization Safe Children Coalition (SCC) understands the importance of paternal involvement in ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and youth, and they are working towards affirming that with their Fatherhood Initiative, which was launched in our area in 2024.

In late June, SCC hosted the inaugural partnership meeting for all of the Fatherhood Initiative programs in Circuit 12 (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties) as well as other adjacent circuits; participants represented organizations including Parenting Matters, Children's Network of Southwest Florida, Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition, Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc. and more. The attendees discussed current community needs, barriers to paternal participation, and how the partners can reduce service duplication, identify system gaps, and create smooth referral pathways. Bringing partners together represents an important goal for SCC to allow programs in the region an opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and expand support and resources for fathers and their children.

In 2022, the Florida Legislature appropriated over $68.9 million to support services for fathers, create an awareness campaign related to responsible fatherhood, and provide evidence-based parenting education to meet the individual needs of fathers.

Of the total funding, local child welfare organization Safe Children Coalition (SCC) received approximately $150,000. A portion of that funding was designated for the comprehensive needs of fathers, evidence-based education programs for fathers, and mentorship programs for at-risk male students. Last year, SCC’s Fatherhood Initiative served nearly 130 fathers and over 200 children.

Goals for SCC’s Fatherhood Initiative includes ensuring fathers’ voices are heard, that there is data-informed knowledge of the actual needs of fathers in our communities, and that case managers and stakeholders are aware of all available resources throughout the community. Additionally, the program goals include increasing the number of fathers with mentors/parent partners or role models, increasing the monthly contacts by fathers with their children, and increasing the percentage of fathers reunified with their child/ren.

The Fatherhood Initiative’s Engagement Team is responsible for building relationships with fathers, helping to identify needs, assisting fathers in accessing services, addressing any gaps identified in services, and communicating the challenges faced by fathers so it is better understood how to appropriately meet their unique needs.

Through partnerships with several community agencies, SCC is committed to supporting fathers and father figures to be meaningfully engaged with their children and assisting in strengthening parenting skills through meaningful connections and peer support.

"The Fatherhood Initiative partnership meeting was successful in creating clear communication and strategies that will help providers better serve fathers and families in our community,” said Aaron Bellamy, Fatherhood Initiative program supervisor. “Many of our programs share responsibility as children may reside in one county and fathers in another. Bringing partners together around the common goal of strengthening bonds between fathers and their children helps to create a more coordinated approach to making sure fathers have the resources they need to be actively engaged in the lives of their children.”

In January, the Fatherhood Initiative program hosted its first-ever Health Fair, held January 31 at the SCC headquarters in north Sarasota. The goal of the event was to help fathers lead a healthier lifestyle by providing access to local resources and services. The organizations that were in attendance to provide information and resources to the attendees focused on healthcare, early childhood education, physical fitness, mental health, HIV prevention, addiction/recovery services, supportive housing and more.

Since the Fatherhood Initiative program launched in 2024 in our area, nearly 350 fathers have been served in Circuit 12, impacting the lives of more than 350 children.

For more about Safe Children Coalition and its programs, visit sccfl.org.

About Safe Children Coalition, Inc.
Safe Children Coalition, Inc. (SCC) serves as the lead agency for community-based care for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. SCC is a collaboration between local community agencies who provide services to children and families in need. SCC is committed to protecting children and youth, strengthening families, and building community. The core functions provided by SCC include child welfare case management, foster care, adoption, independent living, prevention, diversion, quality management, and support services. Visit sccfl.org or call 941-371-4799.