Strength Based Case-Management focused on Goal Setting and empowerment
Access to Monitored Parenting Time
Family Court Support
Peer and Educational Groups
Relationship Building Group
Referrals to community resources such as employment, legal assistance, mental health, and basic needs
Transportation Assistance
Basic Needs, such as food, clothing, and personal care items for the family
The Fatherhood Initiative Program began in 1998 as an extension of the Families First Program here at Madonna Place. Services at the time were primarily focused on case management and group work.
In 2000, The CT Department of Social Services, DSS, selected Madonna Place as one of three pilot programs in the state. After a number of years of research by The University of Hartford, The Connecticut Department of Social Services in conjunction with The National Fatherhood Initiative, created a certification process to ensure quality standards of operation for fatherhood programs. The first Fatherhood Certification Program took place in 2005. It included a comprehensive review of our program and Madonna Place successfully completed this process and became one of the original five Certified Fatherhood sites in Connecticut. There are currently 6 Certified sites in Connecticut.
Purpose:
The purpose of the Program is to increase positive involvement and interaction between fathers and their children. We work with fathers to help them increase their ability to meet their parental responsibilities of providing social, emotional, medical, educational and financial assistance to their children.
recently put out a children's rights video titled "Children See." It depicts parents at their worst -- abusive, violent, careless, angry -- as well as their children following their lead. It's disconcerting, disturbing, startling, but it's also an excellent reminder for even the most thoughtful parent that our children are watching us, every minute of every day.
Funding for this ‘Promoting Responsible Fatherhood’ program was provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service, Administration for Children &Families, GRANT #: 90FR0031, as administered by the CT Department of Social Services. The Department of Social Services’ programs are available to all applicants and recipients without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age disabilities, learning disabilities, and national origin, ancestry or language barriers. The Department has a TDD/TTY line for persons who are deaf or hearing impaired and have a TDD/TTY: 1-800-842-4524. Auxiliary aids are also available for blind or visually impaired persons. The Department of Social Services is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.
