A Father’s Involvement Really Matters
This project is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee.
Helping fathers become the best dads they can be
Most fathers want to be great dads. Low-income fathers can sometimes feel isolated and unable to provide the emotional and financial support their children need. The AFIRM Program can change that.
Who we serve
We serve low-income fathers in Memphis and Shelby County between the ages of 18 and 40. These fathers are connected to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or have a recent child support order.
Three key goals
- Develop healthy parenting to strengthen father/child bonds
- Increase fathers’ ability to earn more over time
- Improve fathers’ ability to pay child support consistently
Who we are
AFIRM is a community-based program rather than a government agency. We offer fatherhood and family strengthening counselors who are trained case managers. Our workshop leaders are male parenting education trainers, who are also fathers.
AFIRM is led by a local Memphis non-profit Families Matter, working together with Maximus, a leading employer and worldwide provider of government services. Other partners include CodeCrew, The Center for Urban Families, National Partnership for Community Leadership and The Carter Malone Group.
What we can do for fathers and how we do it
What we can do
Increase capacity for healthy parenting so low-income dads are emotionally connected to their children.
How we do it
Fatherhood Coaching and Parenting Support
Fathers taking part in AFIRM benefit from an eight-week Fatherhood workshop. It covers a series of skill-building topics for making good dads even better. This workshop meets once a week and is led by a male parenting education trainer, who is also a father.
When possible, fathers can also co-enroll with their child’s mother in a workshop called Relationship Skills for Strong Families. It focuses on healthy co-parenting. Parents will work together to create a parenting agreement that cements what they have learned and gained from the workshop.
Both workshops include meals after each class, stipends (payments) at key milestones and a graduation celebration.
What we can do
Increase economic mobility – how much low-income dads earn over time – so they can support themselves and their families.
How we do it
Career Building and Job Placement
The process starts with reviewing a father’s work style, skills and aptitudes. Then, we match him with possible careers. We place each father on a general career readiness track. Each track focuses on building skills employers want and qualities needed for success.
Fathers can gain skills in a target industry sector that leads to high-wage careers. Along with training, we offer internships, job placement and support for keeping jobs over time.
We have chosen a handful of high-growth job sectors in the Shelby County area. These provide wages that can support families and have a better chance of increasing a father’s income over time. With our AFIRM-friendly employers, we can dramatically improve the chances our fathers will be placed in high-wage jobs.
What we can do
Improve support for low-income dads so they can pay child support consistently.
How we do it
Help Manage Child Support
Each of our fathers have either an active or upcoming child support case.
For those just starting out, we work with them to navigate the child support system. This helps reduce default orders and orders based on income. Our strategies help right size the initial child support order, so the father is more likely to be able to make the payments.
For those already in the child support system, we help them find practical solutions to common problems. We provide help on how to: review and adjust orders, set up payment plans, remove bench warrants, compromise (non-state) arrears, and receive credit for prior support as much as possible.
For all fathers taking part, we dispel myths and help them gain a fact-based understanding of what to expect. We offer support for managing the process. We also help fathers develop visitation plans, so they can see their children regularly.
Learn more about AFIRM
Call 901-445-0115 OR visit www.afirmmemphis.com to find out how we can help you become the best dad you can be.
AFIRM is a part of a study funded by the Tennessee Department of Human Services which is being conducted to determine how these pilot programs help people improve their economic well-being. During the study, all new eligible applicants will be randomly selected into one of two/three groups that receive a different mix of program services.
