The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families

South Carolina Fathers and Families Article Featured in National Journal Publication

South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families Director of Research, Evaluation and Program Integration, Irene Luckey, Ph.D., and Policy Director, Lisa Potts co-authored an article that was recently published in the refereed Journal, Child and Family Social Work.

Alternatives to Incarceration for Low-Income Non-Custodial Fathers, details how low-income non-custodial parents in the United States of America, primarily fathers, are at risk of incarceration for failure to make child support payments thus, clogging the prison system, preventing already at-risk fathers from employment and removing them from relationships with their children. The paper examines the innovative program through the South Carolina Fatherhood Initiative that provides an alternative to incarceration for low-income parents who are at risk of incarceration for non-payment of child support, allowing them an opportunity to find gainful employment; learn valuable life skills and establish closer relationships with their children. Data analysis from three years of program implementation suggests that low-income non-custodial fathers enrolled in the Alternative to Incarceration program have a much greater chance to fulfill their obligations, both as wage earners and as parents, when they are in a program that provides life skills, helps them find employment and provides other supports to help them improve their life situation rather than incarcerating them for non-payment of child support.

Child and Family Social Work provides a forum where researchers, practitioners, policy-makers and managers in the field of child and family social work exchange knowledge, increase understanding and develop notions of good practice. In its promotion of research and practice, which is both disciplined and articulate, the Journal is dedicated to advancing the well-being and welfare of children and their families throughout the world.

Child and Family Social Work publishes original and distinguished contributions on matters of research, theory, policy and practice in the field of social work with children and their families. The Journal gives international definition to the discipline and practice of child and family social work.

Father to Father Project North Charleston Receives Chamber's Nonprofit of the Year Award

For the third year, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce honored 12 dynamic businesses and industries that make up the through the 1773 Chamber Awards at its annual meeting on June 3.

Father to Father Project of North Charleston was awarded with the Nonprofit of the Year award.  Father to Father Project is a community based, non-profit organization that increases the involvement of low-income, non-custodial fathers in the lives of their children and families by assisting with education and employment, helping to negotiate child support issues, providing peer support, developing parenting skills and offering healthy relationship and marriage education. Case management is provided and program participants are linked to many community services. The Father to Father Project Inc. is unique in that it is one of only a few programs in the Charleston area specifically designed to serve fathers. Fatherhood staff provides essential job readiness training to supplement job skills training. The job-readiness curriculum improves participant’s decision making, critical thinking and problem solving skills. It also addresses financial management issues such as how to handle money, establish credit and shop comparatively. The curriculum deals with a variety of real-life situations. It involves the participants in a wide range of specially designed simulation situations to improve their cognitive, emotional and social development skills that are needed both in the workplace and in their day-to-day lives.

The 1773 Awards is named for the year of the Chamber’s establishment. Awards were given to organizations that best reflect the core values of the Chamber; Leadership, Relevance, Integrity, Diversity and Innovation. Winners of each category will be vying for the 1773 Chamber of the Year Award being presented at the Annual Gala on July 9.

For more information about the Father to Father Project, visit their Website.

Midlands Fatherhood Coalition Fairfield Signs Memorandum of Agreement with Fairfield Adult Education

A Memorandum of Agreement has signed between Midlands Fatherhood Coalition Fairfield and Fairfield County School District in conjunction with Fairfield Adult Education.  The agreement allows the fatherhood program to teach GED classes on-site.  GED classes will begin on June 17 and will be offered every Thursday thereafter from 2pm - 5pm.  The agreement will last one year, with the option of renewing  it annually.  The agreement was signed by Dr. Nathaniel Bryan, Director, Adult Education; Dr. Patrice Robinson, Superintendent, Fairfield County School District; and Keith Ivey, Site Director, Midlands Fatherhood Coalition Fairfield.

Community partners, fathers, fatherhood and adult education staff and supporters gathered to witness the signing of the formal partnership agreement. About 30 people were present for the signing.

“This program is successful in large part because of the collaborative community partners and the resources and support they bring to the table,” said Patricia Littlejohn, Executive Director, SC Center for Fathers and Families.  The SC Center for Fathers and Families helps secure funding and provides technical assistance and support to the local program.

The Midlands Fatherhood Coalition Fairfield program began in December 1998 under Fairfield Behavioral Health.  

For more information about the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition Fairfield program, visit their Website.

The services offered through these programs are available to all eligible persons, regardless of race, gender, age, disability or religion.