Abstract
As a result of the father absence epidemic, and the effects it has on the children in America, the Health and Social Services Department in Solano County implemented the Responsible Father's Program for participants eligible through their children receiving CalWorks benefits in Vallejo California. This study is an effort to explore some of the issues surrounding the fatherhood role and helping dads rebuild a positive, consistent, and financially supportive relationship with their children. There will also be a brief discussion about the social services agencies and the accessibility or the lack of accessibility to resources for these fragile "fatherless" families. There are a number of children who are impacted in various ways as a result of being raised in a fatherless society. This study will briefly discuss the national platform but primarily focus on the micro level problem in Solano County.The data for this study was obtained through both primary and secondary sources. There are a number of written literatures available on fatherhood at the national level, but minimal research on this specific program in Solano and surrounding Counties. To explore the topic further, interviews with the grant/proposal writer and the Responsible Father's Program Social workers were conducted. Various materials and data was collected by Health and Social services staff who may have been directly or indirectly involved with the program.Children benefit from increased interaction, visitation, and child support from their noncustodial parents as a result of fathers participating in one or more of the Fatherhood Programs that are now available in communities across America. Fathers need to be able to utilize the same social service resources that the mother's have access to, in order to boost self esteem, obtain employment skills, and become more financially able and willing to adequately support their children. Polices, policy makers, private agencies,and special interest groups need to create policies that empower fathers rather than perpetuate fatherlessness. The more we help the non-custodial fathers, the more we help the children of these fragile families.