DCF highlights accountable fatherhood month with roundtable

On Thursday, the Division of Kids and Households (DCF) Secretary Shevaun Harris hosted a roundtable in Tampa concerning the Accountable Fatherhood Initiative as a part of Accountable Fatherhood Month.

Secretary Harris was joined by Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Secretary Eric Corridor, Director of All Professional Dads Jason Hood, Pastor Lyn Masslieno with Northwest Florida Well being Community, Lesley Bateman of Household First, Nikki Daniels from Layla’s Home, and Allan Alford with All Professional Dads.

The Division is working diligently to strengthen Florida households by selling accountable fatherhood. The Accountable Fatherhood Initiative is equipping fathers with the assets to grow to be and keep engaged of their youngsters’s lives by offering applications that educate, mentor, and supply one-on-one assist to fathers statewide.

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“In Florida, we acknowledge the impactful function {that a} father has on a baby’s total well-being. Because of Governor DeSantis’ management, the Accountable Fatherhood Initiative is supporting robust households by encouraging concerned fatherhood throughout our state,” mentioned DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris. “By way of this initiative, the Division is laser-focused on harnessing native assets and partnerships that present further help and mentorship alternatives for at-risk males and fathers which may have a optimistic influence on Florida’s future generations.”

“DJJ is proud to work with our company and group companions to assist the Accountable Fatherhood Initiative as a result of we all know that concerned fathers contribute enormously to constructing robust, resilient, and profitable younger adults,” mentioned DJJ Secretary Eric Corridor. “When fathers are actively engaged of their youngsters’s lives it positively influences future generations and fosters more healthy households and stronger communities.”

“We’re extraordinarily excited to serve the fathers and households of Northwest Florida! We welcome the problem to interact fathers which can be justice concerned, which have expertise within the youngster welfare behavioral well being system. We look ahead to impacting lives and households,” mentioned Lyn Masslieno, Restoration Specialist, Northwest Florida Well being Community.

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“We’re proud to be part of the Accountable Fatherhood Initiative in Florida. By way of our expertise with All Professional Dad, we’ve seen regular progress by supporting Florida fathers to construct wholesome relationships with their youngsters,” mentioned Lesley Bateman, Director of Accomplice Companies at Household First. “This initiative demonstrates a statewide dedication to supporting Florida fathers, impacting generations to come back.”

“Fatherhood isn’t simple,” says Jason Hood, Director of All Professional Dad Chapters, Household First. “We’ve seen how having further assets, encouragement, and a group of assist might help bridge these challenges. The dedication of the state on this initiative may have a lifelong influence. We’re proud to be part of this.”

“We all know that youngsters who’ve each dad and mom of their lives do higher in class, within the workforce, and in having their very own wholesome relationships,” says Affiliate Director for Champions of Kids Nikki Daniels. “We invite fathers to be a part of all we do at Champions for Kids and worth their involvement.”