Human Services Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-289
AN ACT CONCERNING OVERSIGHT AND FUNDING OF THE CONNECTICUT
Title: FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE.
Vote Date: 3/17/2022
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/8/2022
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Human Services Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill will establish funding and oversight of the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative and
objectives for the initiative. The proposal improves on the current Connecticut Fatherhood
Initiative (CFI). This legislation will enact an Office of the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative
within the Department of Social Services to be overseen by the Commissioner. The bill
further defines the "Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative" (CFI) as an initiative that promotes the
positive involvement and interaction of fathers with their children with an emphasis on low-
income children and identifies services that effectively encourage and enhance responsible
and skillful parenting and increase the ability of fathers to meet the financial and emotional
needs of their children.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford, Department of Social Services, supports this bill. The
testimony provides a background on the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative (CFI)in relation to
DSS. The CFI formally began with the passage of legislation in 1999, as key leaders at the
local and state levels continued to see children who had been impacted by father-absence.
This bill updates the existing CFI legislation to better reflect its current structure, partners,
and goals, and further strengthen this robust public-private collaborative. Furthermore, the
CFI Strategic Planning Workgroup developed and is currently implementing the strategic plan
for the CFI. The plan, adopted by the Council in 2016, contains recommendations for short
and long-term strategies to: address program, policy and system barriers; expand promising
practices already being implemented; and establish new, and strengthen existing,
partnerships at the state and local levels to support the results statements Connecticut
children grow up in a stable environment, safe, healthy and ready to lead successful lives
and, All Connecticut fathers are engaged in the lives of their children.
Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, offers support for
this bill. The testimony states that families are strengthened by supporting fathers. Providing
services and programs that aim to increase fathers positive parenting skills, effective
communication, emotional support, and stress management have positive effects on children.
A fathers involvement is an influential factor in a childs wellbeing and future success. CFI
promotes responsibility in fatherhood at multiple levels. It supports fathers in their personal
responsibilities through various programs and interventions and the impact of these programs
have yielded favorable results. Updating the existing statutory language will strengthen the
initiative's infrastructure, ensure continued active participation of partners, and provide better
supports to fathers and their children.
Connecticut Judicial Branch respectfully request that line 56 be amended to replace
Support Enforcement Services with Superior Court Operations in that Support
Enforcement Services is a unit within the Superior Court Operations Division.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Deb Polun, Executive Director Connecticut Association for Community Action, Inc.
(CAFCA), supports this legislation. As stated in the testimony, CFI works with fathers with all
aspects of their fathering role including the financial and legal responsibilities, as well as
helping to foster an emotional connection with their children. Updating the statute, creating an
office, and formalizing the advisory council will allow the Fatherhood Initiative to garner the
attention and support needed to continue and potentially expand this program.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Connecticut Resident, David Godbout, opposes this bill. As stated in the testimony, all
proposed bills within the Connecticut General Assembly are in violation of citizens' 4th
Amendment Rights, citing the fact that many spaces in the Capitol and Legislative Office
Buildings are currently restricted.
Reported by: Taylor Williams Date: 03/24/2022
Page 2 of 2 SB-289


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
HS Joint Favorable:
File No. 243:
Public Act No. 22-138: