Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 7065, which includes educational programs, mentorship programs and one-on-one support to encourage responsible and involved fatherhood in Florida.
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The bill is tied to nearly $70 million in funding to provide a wide spectrum of family and youth support through the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
“There are more than 18 million children in our country who live without a father in their home,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.
“This has a severe impact on children, and often leads to dropping out of school, crime and substance abuse. Incredibly, there are those who diminish the importance of fatherhood and the nuclear family – we will not let that happen in our state. I am proud to say we are doing everything we can to support involved fatherhood in Florida.”
“We cannot legislate fatherhood, accountability or character, but we can provide supports for fathers to equip and encourage them to take an active role in the lives of their children,” said House Speaker Chris Sprowls, who first brought attention to the fatherhood crisis during his 2019 designation speech.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 18 million children – one in four – in the United States who do not have a father in their home.
Supporting the bill signing were fathers from across the state and several national and community leaders who encourage involved fatherhood, including former NFL head coach Tony Dungy, former NFL professional football player and philanthropist Jack Brewer, and Glen Gilzean, president and CEO of the Urban League of Central Florida.
One of HB 7065’s main provisions is supporting and creating mentorship programs at DJJ for at-risk youth. For many of these youth, their mentor may be the closest thing they have to a father. DJJ also hosts and supports programs for involved fatherhood, including barbershop talks and fatherhood classes. ■
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