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Purpose: The purpose is to provide in-home support services to remedy some of the underlying conditions that lead to abuse, neglect or abandonment of children to strengthen families so children can be cared for in their own home or in the homes or relative. The families served must have cases open in Protective Investigations or Protective Services and be determined TANF eligible.

Eligibility Criteria: The child must be under 18 years of age living with a specified relative, at imminent risk of removal, family has income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, the child is a U.S. citizen or qualified noncitizen, and a Florida resident.

Restriction on the Amount, Frequency, or Duration of Services or Payments: The program uses TANF funds for non-recurring, short-term services related to a specific crisis or episode of need.

Major Activities: Service funds are used to provide home maintenance, temporary housing, transportation, respite care, school-related expenses, family builder program and intensive crisis counseling. The family builder program offers resource support and social connections. Social connections include home visits, linking families with group classes, and assisting families with networking within the community. Resource support includes housing, home furnishings, employment connections, transportation assistance, and making referrals for services.

Referral to Other Programs to Assist Transition from Welfare to Work: The families receive complete case management and appropriate referrals to other services, as needed.

5.11 RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD INITIATIVES

Purpose: To encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families while preventing and reducing out-of-wedlock pregnancies, the responsible fatherhood initiatives may provide services that will potentially change the course of a family’s life by shaping fathers and helping them to maintain an active role in the lives of their children. The encouragement from the fathers will have an impactful role in shaping their child's well-being to aid in lowering the child’s risk for a poor childhood outcome, including emotional and behavioral problems, neglect and abuse, poor school performance, and criminal activities. The program may address the needs of fathers, such as assisting in finding employment, managing child support obligations, understanding child development, and enhancing parenting skills. Additionally, it may provide education programs on topics such as parent coaching, co-parenting collaboration, newborn and infant care education, and parenting skills training. These initiatives will impact future generations and provide a wide spectrum of family support. The program may help at-risk male students, ages 11-19 years old who have a higher probability of failing academically or dropping out of school, to develop economic, social, emotional, and cognitive skills to prepare them for future success.