Two fatherhood bills are moving through Congress. H.R. 3073, now pending in the Senate, passed the House with a vote of 328 to 93. The Clinton administration also has a fatherhood initiative. The various proposals differ in terms of emphasis placed on low-income families, marriage, training and services, and the treatment of child support and charitable choice. To be eligible for services, the father s income mcust be less than 150 percent of the poverty line or one must be a father of a child who is, or within the last 24 months has been, a recipient of assistance or services under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
Mothers are also eligible for services.
The allotment of funds to the states is based upon the number of children who are under the age of five and whose family income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty level. Fifty percent of the funds must be used to strengthen fragile families and promote responsible fatherhood, and 50 percent must be used to promote the formation and maintenance of married two-parent families. States may award funds to local governments and public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations, including charitable and religious organizations. The focus of any fatherhood initiative should be the relationship between the parent and the child, not the relationship between the parents. Fatherhood initiatives should foster an atmosphere of respect and cooperation between mothers and fathers and be used to give parents the tools they need to provide for their children emotionally and financially.