Powerhouse Community Development equips parents to become self-sufficient and involved in their child's life through the Fatherhood Program
The Fatherhood Program is administered by Missouri Division of Child Support Services to help a noncustodial parent avoid having to appear before a judge in court. It’s an employment-based service that focuses on providing services that can help the noncustodial parent achieve self-sufficiency. It also encourages parents to increase emotional, parental and financial involvement in the lives of the noncustodial parent’s children.
Services offered
More importantly, we also educate these parents on the Enforcement process, including income withholding, license suspension process, outreach services, etc. We do this to ensure that they understand the importance of paying support as ordered as well as the consequences of not complying.
How can the Fatherhood Program Help?
When DCSS becomes aware of the parent’s need for services, the agent may make a referral to the program or the parent may ask to enter the program. It’s important to understand that participation by the parent is voluntary.
Once the parent agrees to participate and is enrolled in the program, they must comply with the participant requirements. Which includes:
If a parent fails to complete the program, (i.e. fails to pay child support or fails to contact their Fatherhood Agent, as required) all enforcement activities will resume as allowed by law.
Services offered
- Driver’s License Reinstatement
- Child support Services
- GED Enrollment
- Job Training
- Job Search/Placement
- Volunteer Work Opportunities
- Support order modification, where applicable
More importantly, we also educate these parents on the Enforcement process, including income withholding, license suspension process, outreach services, etc. We do this to ensure that they understand the importance of paying support as ordered as well as the consequences of not complying.
How can the Fatherhood Program Help?
When DCSS becomes aware of the parent’s need for services, the agent may make a referral to the program or the parent may ask to enter the program. It’s important to understand that participation by the parent is voluntary.
Once the parent agrees to participate and is enrolled in the program, they must comply with the participant requirements. Which includes:
- Paying child support while enrolled in the Program;
- Gaining employment within 90 days;
- Providing updates at each accountability session;
- Diligent job searches immediately upon entering the program by registering with the Department of Labor and other employment agencies;
- Reporting new employment within 2 days of accepting any position;
- Being accountable, including treating the Program as if it were a job
If a parent fails to complete the program, (i.e. fails to pay child support or fails to contact their Fatherhood Agent, as required) all enforcement activities will resume as allowed by law.
