| HHS
Fatherhood Initiative |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, May 30, 2000
Contact: Michael Kharfen, (202) 401-9215
HHS PROVIDES FATHERHOOD PROJECTS WITH INNOVATIVE
ELECTRONIC TOOL KIT
Health and Human
Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Kevin Thurm today announced the availability
of a unique Internet-based electronic software package that will provide
a free, easily accessible management tool kit for fatherhood projects.
The HHS-developed Web-based management tool kit removes a "stumbling
block" that can too often challenge evaluation efforts of small,
start-up programs. The software can be obtained by simply going to the
HHS Fatherhood Initiative Web page at http://fatherhood.hhs.gov.
HHS provides funding
to states and communities for projects that provide a range of employment,
parenting, and other services to fathers and non-custodial parents, including
the Responsible Fatherhood Project, Parents' Fair Share, Partners for
Fragile Families, Healthy Start, and Access and Visitation Programs. In
addition, HHS' Head Start program, including Early Head Start, continues
to develop new and innovative ways to increase the parenting skills of
both fathers and mothers and to engage them in program activities. HHS
also is working with the Department of Labor to implement the Welfare-to-Work
program, including programs that help low-income, non-custodial parents
of children on welfare move into lasting, unsubsidized employment.
"HHS demonstrates
leadership in the new technology frontier with an innovative, easy and
free management tool to assist programs with helping fathers better support
their children financially and emotionally," said Deputy Secretary
Thurm. "Too often, new projects lack the immediate resources or ability
to assess performance in a systematic way or even track a client's progress.
To be effective, social service programs must continually have timely
information, so they can make good on the promise they offer."
There can be challenges
in starting-up new projects. The development of an Internet-based electronic
management information system is a unique means to enhance program management.
The HHS system can be downloaded as a self-executing computer file that
can be installed into a program's computer system directly from the HHS
Fatherhood Initiative Web site. Projects can tailor the electronic system
to their own needs. The system can also be used as a "paper and pencil"
tool.
"Often overlooked,
effective management tools are critical to evaluating program performance,"
said Olivia A. Golden, HHS assistant secretary for children and families.
"Without timely data, we cannot answer critical questions about how
well a project has done in helping people and in reaching its goals."
Currently, there
is no single source of funding for many newly operating fatherhood programs,
nor for the evaluation of these projects. Management information systems
are key to measure the effect on clients and their families. The new software
can be used by any project, including ones not funded by HHS. As these
projects grow and expand, this tool will help the emerging fatherhood
field to gain a better understanding of how to effectively meet the needs
of fathers and their families. The need for new and better management
and evaluation tools was identified as part of the HHS and Ford Foundation
collaboration to support projects servicing fathers and young, unwed families.
"Responsible
fatherhood projects are critical to help low-income families succeed,"
said David Gray Ross, commissioner, office of child support enforcement.
"The programs promote work and enhance family involvement by fathers
as well as generate improvements in the collection of child support."
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
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