Fathers & families support center forge fatherhood - the fathers & families support center will implement the forge fatherhood project to serve 900 community fathers in the greater ST

The Fathers & Families Support Center received a $1.25 million Cooperative Agreement award from the Office of Family Assistance under the Healthy Marriage Promotion and Responsible Fatherhood Grants program (CFDA 93.086), effective September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2030. The FORGE Fatherhood project will serve approximately 900 community fathers across the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area over the five-year period, with an anticipated 200 fathers enrolled annually. The primary deliverable is an 80-hour integrated workshop combining four evidence-based curricula: Within My Reach for relationship skills, Family Formation Curriculum for parenting skills, FDIC's (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) Money Smart for financial literacy, and Employment Readiness & Retention Training.

Beyond workshop delivery, participating fathers receive individualized case management, employment services, and legal support designed to strengthen parenting skills, improve co-parenting relationships, and enhance economic stability. The project targets 160 annual completions of at least 90 percent workshop attendance, with expected outcomes including improved father-child engagement, increased financial responsibility, and greater economic mobility for participating families. As a responsible fatherhood initiative, the award aligns with the federal program's focus on promoting healthy relationships and economic advancement for fathers and their families.

Louis metropolitan area over five years. The project will deliver an 80-hour primary workshop that integrates four curricula: within my reach for relationship skills, family formation curriculum for parenting skills, fdic's money smart for financial literacy, and employment readiness & retention training. Fathers will receive individualized case management, employment services, and legal support to improve parenting skills, strengthen CO-parenting relationships, and achieve economic stability. The project expects to serve 200 fathers annually, with 160 completing at least 90% of the workshop, resulting in improved father-child engagement, increased financial responsibility, and greater economic mobility for participating families.