O F F I C E O F L E G I S L A T I V E R E S E A R C H
P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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PA 22-138—sSB 289
Human Services Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING OVERSIGHT AND FUNDING OF THE
CONNECTICUT FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE
SUMMARY: This act repeals the John S. Martinez Fatherhood Initiative and
replaces it with the “Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative” (CFI) with the same or
similar purposes and objectives. It also establishes a (1) council to provide general
oversight of the initiative, generally codifying existing practice, and (2) dedicated
office within the Department of Social Services (DSS) for administrative support.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
INITIATIVE ORGANIZATION AND OBJECTIVES
The act creates the Office of the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative within DSS
to be overseen by its commissioner (the prior initiative was established within
available appropriations under DSS). Although its funding is unspecified, this new
office must perform administrative duties on CFI’s behalf according to a strategic
plan developed and implemented by the initiative with the council’s approval.
In comparison to the prior initiative’s emphasis on children eligible or formerly
eligible for services funded by the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) block grant (i.e., Temporary Family Assistance, the state’s cash
assistance program for low-income families), the new initiative more broadly
emphasizes children from low-income families, regardless of their eligibility for
TANF-funded services. The act also partially changes the new initiative’s charge.
Whereas the prior initiative had to identify certain services, including those that
increase the ability of fathers to meet the financial and medical needs of their
children through employment services and child support enforcement measures, the
new initiative must instead identify services that increase fathers’ abilities to meet
their children’s financial and emotional needs.
COUNCIL OVERSIGHT
The act establishes a CFI Council to approve the initiative’s work, including
implementing objectives through a strategic plan the initiative develops. It requires
the council to actively participate in efforts that further these objectives, including:
(1) fostering collaboration between state agencies that provide services for fathers
and families; (2) coordinating comprehensive services, ensuring their continuity,
heightening their impact, and avoiding duplication; and (3) supporting fathers of
children eligible, or formerly eligible, for TANF-funded services.
The council is composed of at least 28 members as outlined below in the table
below. The DSS Commissioner serves as a council chair, designates a co-chair from O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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among the membership, and fills any vacancies within her appointments.
CFI Council Membership
Ex-Officio Members
(or Designees)
DSS Commissioner
Appointments
Commissioners of: children and families,
correction, developmental services, early
childhood, education, housing, labor,
mental health and addiction services,
public health, social services, and
veterans affairs
Five members, each with expertise in one
of the following areas: (1) legal assistance
to low-income populations, (2) family
relations, (3) male mental and physical
health, (4) domestic violence, and (5)
child development
Board of Pardons and Parole Chairperson One or more representatives of local
fatherhood programs
Executive director of the Court Support
Services Division and director of the
Support Enforcement Services Division of
the judicial branch
Three members, each representing the
interests of one of the following
stakeholders: (1) custodial parents, (2)
noncustodial parents, and (3) children
Chief family support magistrate Governor’s Workforce Council
representative
President of the Connecticut State
Colleges and Universities
Regional workforce development board
representative
Director of DSS’s Office of Child Support
Services
The act requires the DSS commissioner to convene the council by June 26,
2022. It then must continue to meet at least quarterly. The act also authorizes her to
(1) designate a working group of council members to carry out specific required
duties and (2) seek the advice and participation of any person, organization, or state
or federal agency she deems necessary to carry out its provisions.
INITIATIVE FUNDING & REPORTING
Prior law required the DSS commissioner, within available resources, to apply
for any available federal and private funds for programs that promoted the prior
initiative’s objectives. Under the act, she must also do this for the new initiative,
but in consultation with the council. The act also requires her to consult with the
council when establishing grant eligibility and use the same minimum criteria and
requirements as under prior law to (1) award grants from any of these available
funds and (2) condition their receipt.
Prior law required the commissioner to annually report to the Children and
Human Services committees on the grant program’s effectiveness in achieving
initiative objectives. Starting by December 1, 2022, the act requires her to annually
do so in consultation with the council and to also report to the Appropriations
Committee.