News from New York State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance

For more information contact: Anthony Farmer (OTDA), 518-474-9516; Edward Borges (OCFS), 518-473-7793

First New York State Fatherhood Conference Set for October

CNN's Roland Martin to Deliver Keynote Address

ALBANY, NY (08/18/2008; 1234)(readMedia)-- Responsible fatherhood will be the focus of the first New York State Fatherhood Conference, which is being hosted by the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) along with the State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), October 6-9, at the Desmond Hotel in Albany, the two agencies announced today.

More than 350 participants from throughout the country are expected to attend the conference - which has the theme, "Responsible Fatherhood: A Road to Healthy Family Development" - to explore issues and concerns related to the impact of absent fathers on the lives of children and families. CNN contributor Roland Martin, an award-winning journalist and commentator, will serve as keynote speaker at the conference.

"Fathers are a critical part of the family equation, and a father's involvement in a child's life - both financially and emotionally - can make a tremendous difference," said OTDA Commissioner David A. Hansell. "Our mission at OTDA is to assist families and individuals who, for a variety of reasons, need help in achieving greater economic security, and a greater degree of self-sufficiency. We've helped hundreds of thousands of single mothers leave welfare for work over the past decade, and our sponsorship of this groundbreaking fatherhood conference demonstrates that our commitment to helping fathers is just as strong."

"We at OCFS recognize the importance of engaging fathers to improve outcomes for the children we serve," said OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq. "This conference is a wonderful opportunity to educate a broader audience - government, legislators, advocates, community, academia and others - about the importance of responsible fatherhood."

The subject of how absent fathers negatively affect communities has gained a national focus in recent years. It's estimated that 24 million children nationwide live in a home without their biological father; 70 percent of those children are African-American or Latino. And families that live closer to poverty levels are most affected by uninvolved fathers.

Studies show that children in families with economic challenges and absent fathers are more likely to struggle in a host of societal areas. In addition to poverty, growing up without paternal involvement can contribute to a child's involvement in negative behaviors, vulnerability to abuse, and poorer performance in school and the workplace.

Those wishing to attend the conference must register no later than September 15. To register, or find more information, visit dads.ny.gov.

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