Human Services Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-912
AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING AND OVERSIGHT OF FATHERHOOD
Title: INITIATIVES.
Vote Date: 3/31/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/23/2021
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 would establish an Advisory Council of the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative (CFI),
with the objective of promoting the positive involvement and interaction of fathers with their
children and identifying services to assist fathers in that goal. The JFS language establishes
the CFI Advisory Council within the Department of Social Services, as it is the lead agency
for CFI. It also delineates the goals of the council and specifies additional membership of the
council. In lieu of the $3 million in new funding requested in the original bill, the JFS states
that the Commissioner of Social Services shall seek to obtain any available federal and
private funds that promote CFI objectives.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Dr. Deidre S. Gifford, Commissioner, Department of Social Services
Commissioner Gifford testified that she believes the objectives of this legislation can be
achieved within the existing CFI framework. Currently, CFI is a multi-agency effort and
includes a broad array of executive branch and non-profit organization representatives. She
expressed concern that a new advisory council with similar membership would risk diluting
the work already being undertaken. The Commissioner also explained that the members of
the existing CFI council are party to a Memorandum of Understanding, in order to continue to
work towards fulfilling the objectives of the program, and coordinating services for fathers and
their families. The CFI council has also developed a strategic plan of both short- and long-
term goals. Finally, the Commissioner noted that the funding requested in the original bill is
not provided for either in the current budgetary assumptions or in the Governor's proposed
budget.
Vannessa Dorantes, Commissioner, Department of Children and Families
Commissioner Dorantes shared the depth of commitment DCF has made to various
fatherhood programs over the years. Some of their efforts include work on a national
collaborative sponsored by Mathematica; the department's Fatherhood Engagement Services
(FES); a pilot program with the Department of Correction called Families Supporting Reentry;
and the Fathers for Change initiative, offered through DCF's Intimate Partner Violence
Assessment and Intervention Response program. In addition, she highlighted some of the
practices of the Fatherhood Engagement Leadership Teams, present in each of the 6 DCF
regions. The Commissioner also noted that the participants in DCF's Leadership Academy for
Middle Managers have offered change initiatives, such as bringing FES providers and
Intensive Family Prevention staff together to work on high risk cases to enhance fathers'
engagement with their families.
The Commissioner added that a large segment of DCF services stem from CFI, that DCF
was a founding partner in the initiative, and that the department hosts annual Fatherhood
Conferences. She concluded that, "The Department would appreciate the opportunity to
participate in any legislatively approved body to offer our experiences but also to learn from
the expertise of others around the table."
State of Connecticut Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch did not take a stance on the proposed policy, but recommended that the
Chief Court Administrator or their designee be a member of the CFI Advisory Council. They
noted that the Judicial Branch's Support Enforcement Services and Family Support
Magistrates have had significant involvement with CFI over the years.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Deb Polun, Executive Director, Connecticut Association for Community Action (CAFCA)
Ms. Polun supports this legislation, as research shows the vital importance of fatherhood
engagement. CAFCA currently partners with DSS, serving as the state contractor for CFI,
working with six community-based agencies (including one Community Action Agency, or
CAA) statewide. Given the important work CFI does helping fathers in regards to promoting
financial and legal responsibility, and strengthening emotional connections, CAFCA supports
expanding the program and partnering with additional CAAs.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed
Reported by: Heather Ferguson-Hull Date: April 7, 2021
Page 2 of 2 SB-912


Statutes affected:
HS Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 514: