In October 2006, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), Colorado Works Division was awarded a $10 million federal grant over five years to strengthen father/child relationships and improve parenting. Colorado is one of two locations nationwide, including Washington, D.C., to receive this grant. For more information about the grant, please visit the Department of Human Services Administration for Children and Families Web site. 

In order to fulfill the primary goals of the Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Initiative, CDHS has contracted with The Bawmann Group to develop and implement a public information campaign. The goals of this campaign are to promote awareness and understanding of the availability of assistance to fathers and increase the number of fathers requesting and receiving mentoring assistance from community organizations statewide.

The Lewin Group has been employed to develop the information management system and the evaluation of program outcomes for the Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Initiative.

The Colorado Works Division Staff related to the Initiative are:

Kevin Richards
Director, Colorado Works

Mary Roberto
Manager, Program Development and System Innovation Section

Dan Welch
Administrator, Fatherhood Program

Jennifer Morganto
Specialist, Fatherhood Program

Jackie Rogers
Administrative Assistant, Fatherhood Program

The Colorado Fatherhood Council (CFC) meets monthly and serves in an advisory capacity to the Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Community Access Grant and other fatherhood initiatives across the State. Click here to view a list of current CFC members.

Services provided by funded programs of the Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Initiative are available to all eligible persons, regardless of race, gender, age, disability or religion.

In addition to the Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Initiative based out of CDHS, three other Colorado agencies have been awarded funds from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance to develop fatherhood programs. The contact information for the project directors at each agency is listed below.

Grantee: Archuleta County Department of Human Services
Project Name: Promoting Responsible Fatherhood

Contact Information:
Fatherhood Advocate
John D. Vick
Phone: 970-264-2182 x230
Email: jvick@archuletacounty.org

Grantee: Denver Indian Family Resource Center
Project Name: Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Project

Contact Information:
Project Director
Isabelle Medchill, MSW ,
Program Development Director
Phone: 303-871-8035
Email: imedchill@difrc.org

Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Coordinator
Thompson O. Williams
Phone: 303-871-8035 x242
Email: twilliams@difrc.org

Grantee: Montrose County Health and Human Services
Project Name: Promoting Responsible Fatherhood

Contact Information:
Project Director
Jon Merritt
Family Support & Independence (FSI)
Programs Manager
Phone: 970-252-5085
Email: jmerritt@co.montrose.co.us

Al listing of all grantees across the nation is available at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/grantees/list10-06.htm