Ignite - jewish family and children's service of the suncoast will implement the ignite program to serve community-based fathers in sarasota, manatee, and charlotte counties in florida

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) awarded Jewish Family & Children's Service of the Suncoast, Inc. a $1.25 million Cooperative Agreement under the Healthy Marriage Promotion and Responsible Fatherhood Grants program (CFDA 93.086) effective September 30, 2025 through September 29, 2030. The IGNITE program will provide comprehensive responsible fatherhood services to a minimum of 160 fathers annually (80 in Year 1) across Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties in Florida. Services include 24 hours of curriculum-based workshops delivered over 12 weeks utilizing the On My Shoulders curriculum, comprehensive case management, and employment services via the Transforming Impossible Into Possible (TIP) intervention.

The program targets community-based fathers and is designed to achieve measurable outcomes in four key areas: increased financial responsibility, improved relationship skills, progression toward economic stability, and enhanced father-child engagement. Program success is measured by participant completion of at least 90 percent of primary workshops. The Healthy Marriage Promotion and Responsible Fatherhood Grants program funds evidence-based services to strengthen families through skills-based education and economic advancement opportunities, with the most recent competitive funding cycle closing September 30, 2025 and no new awards anticipated until 2030 absent congressional reappropriation.

The program will utilize the on my shoulders curriculum to help fathers improve parenting skills, healthy relationships, and economic stability. Services will include 24 hours of curriculum-based workshops over 12 weeks, comprehensive case management, and employment services using the transforming impossible into possible (tip) intervention. The program will serve a minimum of 160 fathers annually (80 in year 1) who will complete at least 90% of primary workshops, helping them increase financial responsibility, improve relationship skills, progress toward economic stability, and enhance father-child engagement.