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January 18, 2008

Calhoun Community College and Athens-Limestone County Family Resouce Center to Host Children's Trust Fund Celebration

The Alabama Fatherhood Initiative (AFI) program at Calhoun Community College, in conjunction with the Athens-Limestone County Family Resource Center, will host a Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Celebration, Wednesday, January 30, 2008, beginning at 2:00 pm at the Athens-Limestone County Family Resource Center, 406 South Jefferson Street in Athens.

The program will recognize the CTF for its efforts to alleviate child abuse and neglect in the Limestone County area, specifically through its funding of Calhoun’s AFI program and the Parents as Teachers program.  CTF will officially present a check to the Calhoun program for $40,000 to be used for programs in the Limestone County area.

The Calhoun AFI program began in 2004 with the purpose of helping non-custodial fathers develop and maintain positive relationships with their children, and to enhance their ability to support their children, by providing counseling, education, training, and employment opportunities.  The program originally began work in Morgan County, but last year expanded into Limestone County with support from the Children’s Trust Fund. 

Specifically, Calhoun’s AFI program provides employment opportunities to under- and unemployed non-custodial parents through increased educational and short-term skills training opportunities, adult education classes, and pre-employment skills to get these individuals into the workforce sooner.  In addition, it provides realistic alternatives to incarceration for non-custodial parents who want to work and meet their financial responsibilities to their children and training completion certification and assistance in obtaining viable employment opportunities.

Training is offered in a number of areas through Calhoun’s  AFI program, including  Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL); welding; plumbing; electrical; health care programs in  Phlebotomy Technician, Pharmacy Technician and  Medical Billings Records Clerk; computer application classes (including A+ certification); and Industrial Maintenance.  The students have up to 12 weeks to complete their training program (depending on work schedules)

According to Angela Henderson, case manager for the Calhoun program, non-custodial parents enrolled in the program have repaid over $400,000 in back child support in the last 3 ½ years.

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561

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