Fatherhood program noted at Washington D.C. event

Roger Fisher, employment services coordinator at WSOS and a Clyde resident, spent April 23 in Washington D.C. sharing information about the WSOS Fatherhood initiative with representatives of other Fatherhood initiatives from around the nation.

The Office of Family Assistance in Washington D.C. is preparing for the federal-level assessment rating of the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood projects granted across the nation, and WSOS was invited to share information about its project.

"You were invited to participate (in the assessment) based on our belief that ... (you will) provide invaluable feedback on not only the measures but also the data collection process," said Geneva Ware-Rice, branch chief of the Office of Family Assistance of the Administration for Children and Families.

WSOS Community Action Commission Inc. was recommended for this work group by the federal project officer assigned to WSOS' area. In a letter to WSOS, the Office of Family Assistance indicated that it was seeking in-depth and rigorous feedback on the feasibility of collecting and reporting information on the project.

"We feel honored that we were chosen to participate in this activity," said Jacquie Wells, director of WSOS' Family Development department.

WSOS has been operating the Fatherhood initiative for about 18 months. It serves fathers in the four-county WSOS service area. It is free of charge and open to all fathers, regardless of their economic status. Custodial and non-custodial fathers, step-fathers and fathers-to-be can all participate in this program.

It is an economic stability program designed to help fathers develop healthy and lasting relationships with their children while assisting them to develop the tools needed to provide economic stability for their families.

Services provided include job development, job placement, financial education training, life skills training, first-time home-buyers services, conflict resolution and domestic violence education. The program also provides support services for the family.

For more information on the fatherhood initiative offered by WSOS, call 419-334-8911 or toll free at 1-800-775-9767 or email us at info@wsos.org.