Submitted

SALINA – Non-custodial mothers and fathers interested in exploring new ways to learn and care for their families now have a parenting course that will help them. Saint Francis Community Services was awarded $316,000 from the Kansas Department for Children and Families to assist in providing non-custodial parents with learning opportunities and resources that will strengthen Kansas families.

Saint Francis Community Services’ Family Preservation program received 1,282 referrals in 2014—nearly 900 of those cases had a non-custodial parent. Through the Fatherhood Initiative program, Saint Francis Community Services will provide fatherhood and family strengthening programs through its agency with the collaboration of community partners. Kansas Workforce One will also play a major role in helping make sure non- custodial fathers have a full understanding of navigating systems to fulfill both the financial and parenting needs for their child(ren).

The Fatherhood Initiative program will be offered in the following Kansas communities: Salina, Great Bend, Dodge City, Garden City, Liberal, Hutchinson, Hays and Manhattan. The 12-week classes are two hours each and are offered free of charge. Persons interested may register by calling (785) 914-5244, or by emailing [email protected]. Start dates and locations vary.

Todd Hadnot, Director of Community Outreach Services at Saint Francis Community Services noted, “The Fatherhood Initiative grant provided by the DCF will allow us to provide much-needed services for non-custodial fathers with the intent of teaching fathers the healthy benefits of being involved in their child(ren) lives and how important that role is in the life of a child.”

This program will help non-custodial fathers improve their parenting skills, overcome obstacles, and increase parental engagement. Additionally, this program will provide career assessment tools, and career counseling services that include job coaching, job readiness and job skills development for non-custodial fathers.

Saint Francis Community Services is committed to addressing these core issues and assisting non-custodial fathers as they become more involved with their child(ren)— both financially and as a parent.