Midlands Fatherhood Coalition

Midlands Fatherhood Coalition (MFC) is a father’s advocacy program whose purpose is to help low-income, non-custodial fathers overcome barriers that may prevent them from becoming an integral and effective part of their children’s lives. The program features a 24-week structured, peer-support format with weekly group sessions facilitated by staff and contracted professional personnel. Specifically, the program helps fathers to increase their knowledge and develop personal skills in the areas of parenting (including co-parenting with the mothers of the children), negotiating formal systems, anger management, relationships, educational opportunities, financial management, employment and personal values assessment. Special activities to foster father-child relationships are also offered. Additionally, MFC features an Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) component. Men who are incarcerated or about to be incarcerated for non-payment of child support will have their sentences suspended with the provision that they participate in the program. These men are required to secure employment, pay child support, and participate in all phases of the program. ATI provides an opportunity for fathers to support their families and to be an active part of their children’s lives while eliminating the cost of incarceration to taxpayers.