Onondaga Fatherhood Program Among Those Studied by Urban Institute

SYRACUSE, NY (04/15/2009)(readMedia)-- The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) released the initial findings of the Urban Institute's study of New York State's "Strengthening Families Through Stronger Fathers" initiative at a press conference today at the Westcott Community Center, in Syracuse. Among the group's findings is that there is an overwhelming demand for services provided through the initiative - particularly among minority men with a criminal record.

"This analysis by the Urban Institute will help us to shape the future of fatherhood programs in New York State and across the country," said OTDA Commissioner David A. Hansell. "Fatherhood programs allow us to build on the success of welfare reform, whose primary beneficiaries have been single moms, to enhance the economic prospects of low-income men, and to increase their chances of achieving self-sufficiency for themselves and their children."

The study by the Urban Institute is the most comprehensive of its kind of fatherhood programs throughout the country. The report was the topic of a panel discussion at the American Public Human Services Association spring conference in Washington, D.C., just last week.

"The Urban Institute's evaluation of New York's Strengthening Families initiative provides critical insight to the demand, needs, challenges and positive outcomes for families when targeted services are offered to low-income fathers," said Scott Cade, OTDA Deputy Commissioner for the Center of Child Well-Being and Director of New York's Child Support program.

New York's fatherhood program, launched in 2006, funds five pilot projects that provide intensive employment services and other supportive services to low-income noncustodial parents, and provides a refundable tax credit for low-income noncustodial parents who remain current in paying child support. Pilot sites are located in Onondaga, Erie and Chautauqua counties, and two are in New York City.

The 3-year pilot projects conclude this September, but funding that would allow for continuation of the fatherhood program is included in the 2009-2010 state budget. OTDA will utilize the results of the Urban Institute study to re-design the program for the future.

The goal of the initiative is to increase noncustodial parents' financial and emotional involvement with their children. This is consistent with other efforts across the country, and with legislation sponsored by then-Senator Obama and Sen. Evan Bayh that is designed to, among other things, fund support services and job training for fathers and their families.

Michelle Haab, Coordinator of the Onondaga fatherhood program, the "Parent Success Initiative," said the program has helped to fill what has been a gap in services available to low-income fathers.

"With Onondaga County now feeling the impact of the nationwide recession, the Parent Success Initiative (PSI) is even more essential and relevant in our community. PSI provides assistance to non-custodial parents, a population that has long been undeserved and misunderstood," said Haab. "Fathers in our program enter wanting to pay their support and be involved in their children's lives, but they need assistance to overcome their various legal and vocational barriers. The OTDA Strengthening Families through Stronger Fathers initiative has provided Onondaga County the opportunity to continue serving fathers in need, and to help strengthen Onondaga County families in the process."

OTDA contracted with the Urban Institute to conduct the multi-year process and outcomes evaluation. As of June 2008, the pilot programs enrolled 2,118 participants, far exceeding the enrollment goal, a major achievement compared with previous efforts to serve unemployed noncustodial parents.

Among the findings highlighted in the report are:

• 92 percent of pilot participants are men;
• 87 percent were not employed or working less than 20 hours a week;
• 76 percent have never been married;
• 60 percent have an arrest record;
• 80 percent are African American or Hispanic;
• 39 percent lacked a high school diploma;
• 38 percent of participants who were unemployed at enrollment were placed in a job;
• 42 percent of participants made a child support payment in June of 2008.

Roland C. Warren, President of the National Fatherhood Initiative, said: "Research is critical to the continuing success of the Responsible Fatherhood Movement. New York State continues to lead the country in innovative work and cutting edge ideals. The Urban Institute White Paper should serve as a blueprint and foundation for future programmatic fatherhood services."

Dr. Ronald Mincy, lead investigator for the evaluation and Maurice V. Russell Professor of Social Policy and Social Work Practice Columbia University School of Social Work, said: "Through the New York State initiative communities around the state are building an infrastructure to help unemployed and underemployed fathers provide for their children and to otherwise become more supportive parents. Though the effectiveness of the local programs will be tested under the worst economic conditions in the months ahead, already the initiative has spawned locally-tailored services, by a diverse set of providers, who are able to respond to specific, local needs."

The full report can be found on OTDA's website, www.otda.state.ny.us, under "Featured Links."

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