Chosen Secures Florida Responsible Fatherhood Initiative State Grant
Chosen Secures Florida Responsible Fatherhood Initiative State Grant
San Antonio, TX, Jan. 12, 2024 – Chosen, a prominent nonprofit committed to healing children and families from trauma through connection, is pleased to announce its successful acquisition of the Florida Responsible Fatherhood Initiative – Comprehensive Needs of Fathers State Grant. This grant, aligned with Governor Ron DeSantis’s statewide initiative, empowers organizations like Chosen to promote responsible and involved fatherhood through educational programs, mentorship initiatives, and personalized support.
Chosen will leverage the Comprehensive Needs of Fathers grant to enhance its evidence-informed Parent Education program, with a specific focus on father education to assist families in the child welfare system impacted by trauma. The grant will fund services addressing the diverse needs of fathers, including employment assistance, management of child support obligations, understanding child development, and honing parenting skills. By addressing the root causes of mental and behavioral health issues, Chosen’s services facilitate vital attachments between fathers and children, fostering a more stable and supportive home environment.
In October, Governor Ron DeSantis initiated the Florida Responsible Fatherhood Initiative, incorporating a statewide community network. The initiative seeks to promote responsible and involved fatherhood through educational programs, mentorship initiatives, and personalized support. Chosen is among the 30 community organizations selected by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to provide services empowering fathers to embrace their unique role in their children’s lives.
“Father First is an initiative that spans across the state aiming to empower fathers and father figures by providing them with the tools and resources necessary to learn, grow and continually improve,” said Family First President and CEO Mark Merrill. “We congratulate Chosen for being selected by DCF as a grant recipient of the Father First Initiative. We appreciate their continued efforts to support children and families to heal from heartbreak together.“
The grant’s immediate benefits will fortify Chosen’s evidence-informed parent education program, concentrating on father education to support families in the child welfare system impacted by trauma. Renowned for its whole-family approach, the program boasts a remarkable 99% success rate in keeping families affected by the child-welfare system together.
“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to receive the Comprehensive Needs of Fathers State Grant,” said Chosen CEO Jenni Lord. “This grant is a testament to our commitment to strengthen families and foster responsible fatherhood. We’re honored to play a pivotal role in Governor Ron DeSantis’s initiative, and we will further empower fathers with the essential tools and resources they need to build healthy connections with their children.“
About Chosen:
Chosen works to help children heal from trauma by strengthening their families. Our practitioners and licensed care managers work with families impacted by the child welfare system – including adoptive, foster, kinship (relative) families, and biological parents reunified with their children. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or visit www.chosen.care to learn more.
About Father First:
Father First is a statewide and community-driven initiative empowering fathers to embrace their unique roles in their children’s lives. Born from the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative that was signed into law as HB 7065 in 2022 by Governor Ron DeSantis, this initiative highlights the critical role of fathers and provides resources to them and at-risk male students throughout Florida. Through this historic legislation, the Florida Legislature appropriated over $68.9 million to support services for fathers provided through a variety of organizations and a responsible fatherhood public awareness campaign. Father First is a place for dads and future dads to find resources, encouragement, and connection needed to be better every day. For more information visit, www.fatherfirstfl.com.
Media Contact:
Staci Thomas
Chief Operating Officer
staci@chosen.care
772.341.6847
