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November 13, 2008

Calhoun's Parenthood Initiative Program to Host Children's Trust Fund Event

The Alabama Parenthood Initiative (API) program (formerly the Alabama Fatherhood Program) at Calhoun Community College, in conjunction with ten other grantee agencies funded through the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF),  will host a CTF Celebration on Monday, November 17, 2008, beginning at 10:00 am in the Aerospace Training Center on Calhoun’s Decatur campus.

The program will recognize the CTF for its efforts to alleviate child abuse and neglect in the north Alabama area, specifically through its funding of Calhoun’s API program as well as programs provided through Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Alabama, Family Services Center, Decatur Youth Services, Morgan County Children’s Advocacy Center, Parents and Children Together (PACT), United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley, Inc., Volunteer Center of Morgan County, Athens-Limestone County Family Resource Center, Madison County Coalition for Healthy Marriages, and the National Children’s Advocacy Center.  According to Angela Henderson, event coordinator and case manager for Calhoun’s API program, CTF will officially present funding totaling over $475,000 to the eleven agencies and programs on Monday, including $30,000 to the Calhoun program, specifically for work in Limestone county.

The Calhoun API program began in 2004 with the purpose of helping non-custodial parents 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 API 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 API 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 Henderson, non-custodial parents enrolled in the program have repaid over $400,000 in back child support in the last 3 ½ years.  For more information on Calhoun’s Alabama Parenthood Initiative program, call 256/306-2914.

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

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