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Full-Time Dads;
The Magazine for Caregiver Fathers
Issue 23
F.A.C.T. is the official acronym for the Fathers' Resource Center's new transitional housing program, Fathers And Children Together. F.A.C.T. is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (H.U.D) to provide transitional housing for homeless fathers who have physical custody of their children.
Our charge is to facilitate the movement of homeless dads and their children to permanent housing. This temporary housing is combined with support services to enable these homeless families to live as independently as possible. Implementation of the program began October 1, 1995 after recruiting a dynamic team of two full-time case managers, one half-time case manager and a support staff. Steve Brown, Gregory Phillips, and Mat Talley have assumed their case management duties and, to date, have placed 10 dads with their children in various suburban housing sites.
The eligibility process and criteria are as follows: The applicant himself initially contacts Mat Talley at the Minneapolis office for an intake evaluation. The father must be homeless by the Federal definition of either currently residing in a supervised emergency shelter or living in a situation not suitable for human habitation. such as in an auto, hallway, or under a bridge. Once homelessness has been established then custodial rights and legal documentation are required. When these primary prerequisites are satisfied, an appointment is made for an interview. At the interview the applicant is asked to furnish Minnesota identification, birth certificates, written proof of shelter residency, court documentation of legal child custody as well as any additional papers, such as UD explanations, that may be relevant to their case.
Upon acceptance in the F.A.C.T. program, each case manager will assess the needs of the participants and develop a personal Family Development Plan. Among the services we provide are parenting classes, individual and family counseling, fathers support groups, childcare, budgeting assistance and referrals to other agencies that can assist with the process of transition from homeless to self-sufficiency. The following are a couple examples of the families we work with.
"Mike" is a forty-one year old widower who has a four-year-old daughter. He admitted that he is homeless as a result of alcohol abuse. Mike has a good military record and also holds a college degree and has worked in a social service agency. Part of Mike's case plan will be to strongly encourage him to consistently attend a 12-step group. Individual counseling will also be available to Mike regarding grief and loss and any other issues that are causing Mike to feel depressed to the point of resorting to intoxication. Another goal for Mike is to gain employment and set up a household budget.
Often, participants have made poor financial decisions that have resulted in unpaid debts, bad credit, and adverse consequences. Therefore it is necessary for the participant to understand that it is not so important how much you have as it is to properly manage what you do have.
"Peter" is a 27-year-old father of two boys, ages four and six. Peter is a high-school drop-out who would eventually like to become a computer programmer. Our goal is to have Peter prepare himself to take the GED examination next Spring. Once having passed the exam, Peter will enroll in a community college or business school.
The participant, his children, and the case manager are a team that brainstorm ideas and have equal input to the planning of the family's future. Our goal is not to control, manipulate, or dictate the participant's lifestyle, but rather be a resource, offer suggestions, and give positive feedback. In addition, the case managers formally meet bi-monthly to discuss individual case issues and generate possible solutions and alternatives.
We believe the most important aspect of this program is to help marginalized individuals become active participants in their children's lives, their community, and most importantly, in society. From the very beginning it's an uphill climb that will not be easy. The participants will have to be willing to face the challenges that are required to move from marginalization to stabilization. We will support them through the process but they must be willing to overcome the obstacles. If they are not willing, our program is not for them.
Reprinted from Father Times, Winter 1995, Volume 4 Issue 3
Father Times is the quarterly newsletter of the Fathers' Resource
Center
The F.R.C. serves fathers in the Twin City, MN area.
Contact information:
Fathers' Resource Center
430 Oak Grove Street, Suite B3
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612/874-1509 Voice
612/874-0221 Fax
Visit the Fathers' Resource Center's home page:
http://www.visi.com/~frc/
The FRC e-mail address is:
frc@fvisi.com
Our newsletter, Father Times, is on the web at:
http://www.visi.com/~frc/ftimes.html
Copyright 1996 By Fathers' Resource Center
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