Purdue News

October 9, 1998 Program teaches fathers to raise, protect children WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A Purdue University effort is spreading across the state and may increase the odds of success for Hoosier children and their families. The vast majority of welfare recipients are unwed mothers with children. As welfare reform moves families off public assistance, states are required to put more pressure on dads who don't pay child support. "However, many young dads have neither the means nor the motivation to pay," says Aadron Rausch, Extension specialist and assistant director of Purdue's Center for Families. Research suggests that a father is more likely to be financially and emotionally involved with his child if: He feels that he plays a role in the child's future. He is confident in his parenting skills. He is able to get along with the mother of the child. Enter "It's My Child, Too," a parenting program aimed at young, unwed fathers. "The goal of the program is for fathers to recognize the important role they play in the lives of their children," Rausch says. The fathering course was developed two years ago by Purdue's Center for Families and is administered by the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service. The program is available in 48 of Indiana's 92 counties. "It's My Child, Too" also is being implemented in schools, community centers and detention centers in 22 states. Most fathers attend the program once a week for six weeks. Among its supporters, "It's My Child, Too" has attracted the attention of judges and prosecutors. In some Indiana counties, the court system sends young fathers to the program because the men are delinquent in paying child support or are having problems with the mother. It's a situation one prosecutor describes as paying now or paying later. "Statistics indicate that children raised by a single mom, with no emotional or financial support from the father, often fall into poverty, making it more likely these children will be teen parents, truants, dropouts and criminals," says Michael Gotsch, deputy prosecuting attorney in St. Joseph County and past president of the Indiana Child Support Alliance. "We can either work to prevent these problems or plan to build more prisons." In Indiana, the program is partially funded by the Restoring Fatherhood Initiative, a Family and Social Services Administration effort that diverts funds that would have gone to welfare into fathering programs. "Many of today's young fathers have had no role models, and we're trying to break that cycle," says Tanasha Anders, acting grant coordinator for FSSA. This month, "It's My Child, Too" will be presented to state-certified prenatal care coordinators serving Medicaid clients and the uninsured. Indiana Department of Health-sponsored workshops will be held in Warsaw, Bedford, Evansville, Lafayette, Clarksville, Indianapolis and Crown Point. "It's My Child, Too" focuses on six major areas: The father's role in children's lives. The basics of child care and development. The strategies for proactive parenting. The ways to recognize and cope with stress. The need for parental cooperation. The resources in the community and responsible decision-making. Even when the father is active in a child's life, problems can arise. During fiscal year 1998, a record 65 children died of abuse or neglect in Indiana. Most of the children were under the age of 3 and died at the hand of a parent, according to figures from the FSSA. "It's My Child, Too" tries to help fathers deal with the stresses of parenting. "Parenting programs that address coping strategies, decision-making skills, and child development can increase parenting knowledge and skills and help parents cope," Rausch says. The program also addresses normal childhood behaviors and ways of dealing with them. For example, what may be inappropriate behavior for a 3-year-old may be very appropriate behavior for an infant. "We need to help fathers understand their own children," she says. She says the program also helps fathers feel more in control, and it tells them where to turn if they feel themselves losing it. This means helping them recognize their own warning signals. "Often times, parents have multiple stressors and few resources," Rausch says. "It's My Child, Too" makes fathers aware of the resources available in the community. Gotsch sees programs like this as strengthening families. "It's my hope that fathers will bond with their children, and that these young families will eventually come together as one," he says. Sources: Aadron Rausch, (765) 494-9516; e-mail, aadron@cfsnt.cfs.purdue.edu Tanasha Anders, (317) 233-4451; e-mail, tanders@fssa.state.in.us Michael Gotsch, (219) 235-9564 Writer: Beth Forbes, (765) 494-9723; e-mail, beth_forbes@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: For information on counties offering the "It's My Child, Too" program, contact the Extension office in your county or Aadron Rausch at (765) 494-9516. Times and locations for October prenatal care coordinator meetings offered by the Indiana State Department of Health are available by calling (317) 233-7315. To the Purdue News and Photos Page