The recent discussion on poverty, marital status and out of wedlock births (see Vincent Carroll’s February 20th Denver Post column – Discuss poverty at own peril) speaks to the flesh and bone of my work to improve the wellbeing of children as it relates to the absence or presence of a father or father figure. I am a part of a growing number of individuals and agencies in Colorado that are calling men to step up and be the kind of dad their children need them to be.

The politics of father absence, like any social issue of significance, is fraught with a plethora of differing assumptions and opinions.

Do I think dads are more important than moms? No. Do I think an abusive father is better than an absent father? No. Do I think a healthy, emotionally engaged father is the answer to our social problems? No, but I do believe it is and needs to be a part of the solution.

According to the U.S. Census latest update, the official poverty rate in 2008 was 13.2% - 40 million Americans. Colorado's number of children living in poverty grew 73 percent from 2000 to 2006 — the nation's highest rate of growth, according to the Colorado Children's Campaign.

Poverty, any way you measure it, makes it more difficult for a child to thrive. Father absence contributes to the problem of childhood poverty; fatherfullness expands the solutions. A child in poverty needs both parents to contribute as much money, care and cooperative parenting as possible regardless of their marital relationship.

The Colorado Fatherhood Council envisions a coordinated statewide network of services that will result in the children of Colorado having long-term healthy relationships with their father or a father figure. We define healthy father involvement as a man who actively models, provides for and enhances the safe and healthy development of the children, family and communities he cares for. We are currently accepting funding applications through our Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Community Access Program.