FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 13, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@
MDHHS Children Trust Michigan seeks proposals for programs to strengthen relationships with fathers
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Children Trust Michigan is looking for proposals for statewide and local programs to strengthen children’s relationship with their fathers.
Children Trust Michigan wants proposals to promote a father’s engagement with their children, nurture father-child relationships and build parental resilience.
“Children around the state will benefit from this funding to help fathers develop nurturing relationships with their children,” said Demetrius Starling, senior deputy director of the MDHHS Children’s Services Administration. “Michigan already has many strong fatherhood programs in place. We want to expand upon successful initiatives that are improving child well-being and put in place new programs. Children experience better outcomes when they have strong relationships with their fathers.”
The Direct Service Fatherhood Initiative Program funding is open to local or statewide public, private or nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations. This is the first time that this annual Children Trust Michigan prevention funding has focused specifically on fatherhood initiatives.
This funding is available to new programs or for expanding existing programs. It will provide seed money to establish services – not for operating ongoing services. Examples could include – but are not limited to – programs such as:
- 24/7 Dad, a program that supports the growth and development of fathers as caring and compassionate people who treat themselves, others and the environment with respect and dignity.
- Inside Out Dad, a curriculum for incarcerated fathers that bridges the gap between the father and his children.
- Supporting Father Involvement, a child abuse preventive intervention program designed to enhance fathers’ positive involvement with their children.
Total available funding is $400,000 and MDHHS estimates five awards with a maximum of $80,000 and minimum of $10,000.
The state will hold a pre-application conference to discuss this funding opportunity and provide instruction on using the EGrAMS system. The pre- application conference will be Monday, April 17, at 9:30 a.m., EST, for approximately 90 minutes. The conference can be accessed at https://bit.ly/3l89Wv9.
Applicants must electronically submit applications for initial review and endorsement by a Children Trust Michigan local council by 3 p.m., May 22. Applications endorsed by local councils will be forwarded to MDHHS by June 8. The program period runs from Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024.
For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and select “About EGrAMS” link in the left panel to access the “Competitive Application Instructions” training manual. The complete request for proposals can be accessed in the “Current Grants” section under the “Children Trust Michigan Direct Service” link by selecting the “DSFI-2024” grant program.
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