Georgia Fatherhood Client Survey Georgia Fatherhood Program Website For more information about the Georgia Fatherhood Program, please contact: Francis H. Young State Coordinator fyoung@dtae.org 404-327-6955 Arlana Murray Program Operations Analyst amurray@dtae.org 404-679-1654 Clyde "Jocco" Baccus Job Developer/Regional Field Coordinator 404-679-1657 cbaccus@dtae.org Celia Booth Secretary 404-679-1697 cbooth@dtae.org		|		Georgia Fatherhood Program The Georgia Fatherhood Program (GFP) is a partnership between the Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE), Division of Special Workforce Services, and the Department of Human Resources, Office of Child Support Enforcement (CSE). This program provides education, training, and job placement for non-custodial parents with court-ordered child support. GFP offers a statewide systematic delivery of services that enables participants to contribute to the economic well being of their children and the workforce development of the State of Georgia. GFP is a comprehensive program of services which includes assessment, workshops, and skills training concurrent with employment. The GFP seeks to serve all non-custodial parents who want to support their children, but lack the financial means to do so. Participants are required to attend Life Management Skills training and workshops. Adult literacy, GED preparation, and short-term training (TCC) courses are also available from the technical institute. Through the successful development and implementation of a strong statewide service, the program has reduced the substantial costs experienced by the state Child Support Enforcement, the courts, and the costs of incarceration by preventing and resolving child support enforcement cases. Through participants' increased child support payments, the Fatherhood Program has also reduced the burden placed on the public sector to provide financial assistance and other services to the program's participants and their families, including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, and food stamps. The Georgia Fatherhood Program began in 1997 as a pilot program in seven technical institutes. As the Fatherhood Initiative Program, 450 participants completed training and 80%, or 360 participants, were employed. In 1998, the program went statewide, and is now offered in 34 technical colleges and 3 colleges with technical divisions. It is cited by the U. S. Department of Education and the National Child Support Enforcement Association as the only statewide program of its kind. Fast Tracks to Jobs is a component of GFP which was developed in 1998. This effort which began as an anti-gang deterrent, is a summer program which serves non-custodial, non-supporting fathers between the ages of 16 and 21. The six-week residential program of vocational exploration and summer work experience seeks to help participants in developing self-esteem, responsibility and pride. The young fathers are required to attend school, obtain a high school diploma or GED, participate in parenting and money management classes, perform community service, and cooperate with Child Support Enforcement. The Georgia Fatherhood Program is proud to be in interagency partnerships with the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Department of Labor, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Community Affairs. The Board of Pardons and Paroles and Corrections are important referral agencies to the program, while the Department of Labor assists in the placement of participants into the workforce. The Department of Community Affairs and the Fatherhood Program are discussing the viability and probable success of coordinating our efforts and providing low interest housing to the participants of the Georgia Fatherhood Program.   Georgia Fatherhood Program Client Survey click here for survey Georgia Fatherhood Program Website