What is the Fathering Court? 

A program that offer non-custodial parents who have not been making child support payments in the District of Columbia, for a long time, a chance to make a fresh start.The Fathering Court offers job training, counseling, a job, and support to get their lives back on track. 

Overall Objective

To increase the number of non-custodial To increase the number of non-custodial parents contributing to the financial and parents contributing to the financial and emotional wellbeing of their children as emotional wellbeing of their children as measured by:measured by:

Compliance with outstanding child Compliance with outstanding child support orders;support orders;

Increased contact with their children; Increased contact with their children; and,and,

Improved co-parenting relationships with Improved co-parenting relationships with the custodial of their children.the custodial of their children.

DC Fathering Court Program

Parents will be educated, counseled and encouraged to place the needs of their children first.

It’s really about children and families

The Fathers Court will give non-custodial parents the tools to become financially and emotionally responsible for their children.

Participants

Participants are primarily referred by DC Superior Court, Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency (SCOSA) and Office of Attorney General Child Support Division (CSSD).

DC Superior Court Logo

The program will enroll 45 non-custodial ParentsThe program will enroll 45 non-custodial Parents

Eligibility

Fathers Court participation will be voluntary.

Participants must have child support orders for children who live in the District of Columbia.

The legal custodian/guardian must agree to support the overall efforts of the program.

Participation will be limited to non-custodial parents without a history of domestic violence and without prior convictions involving weapons or any other violent offenses. Non-custodial parents with serious unresolved mental health or substance abuse issues will not be eligible.

Eligibility cont.

Who Can Participate? 

Be at least 18 years old and reside in the District of Columbia

Have an active child support obligation in the District of Columbia

Not have any prior convictions of child or sexual abuse. Anyone currently on the Child Offender Registry is not allowed to participate

Not have any prior convictions of domestic violence

Not have any ongoing chemical or substance abuse. Participants may be subject to drug testing if substance abuse issues arise

Not be currently receiving SSI or SSDI

Not be currently enrolled in high school

Fathers Court Program Design

Clear and objective goals for participants

Accountability to the Court

An individualized plan of action

Compliance encouraged by wide range of

rewards and sanctions

Measurable outcomes

Program Graduation

Fathers Fraternity

What can participants get out of it?

Job training & job placement

Bi-weekly support group meetings. A chance to discuss re-entry issues with other parents in the re-entry process

Personal financial management training

Program graduation

Fathering classes

Fathers Fraternity

Counseling & Treatment

Case Management

Court Supervision

A chance to build a relationship with your child(ren)

Father’s Fraternity

Following graduation participants will have the opportunity to join a Fathers' Fraternity that will:

partner with community based support groups.

serve as community-based continuum of holistic support

provide the graduates with an arena within which to address issues that arise in their daily lives.

Urban In

stitu

te

Court Services and Offender

Supervision Agency (CSOSA)

OAG

Child Support Service

Criminal Justice

Coordinating Council

Department of Human Services

Bureau of Prisons

University of the District of Columbia

Healthy Familie

s

Thriving

Communities Colla

borative

Council

DC Superior Court

If the parent is not empowered to

meet their children in their world;

the children will be left with no other

choice but to meet their parent in

their world.

Fathering Court Contact Information

Anyone interested in getting more information about the Fathering

Court should email Ron Scott, Program Director Ron.Scott@dcsc.gov;

or

Call a CSSD Paternity and Community Outreach Specialist

202-724-2198.