[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2893 Introduced in House (IH)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2893
To provide for demonstration and evaluation of, and dissemination of
information concerning, promising approaches to promoting and
supporting involved, committed, and responsible fatherhood, and
promoting and supporting healthy marriages, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 14, 2001
Mr. Herger introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on
Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for demonstration and evaluation of, and dissemination of
information concerning, promising approaches to promoting and
supporting involved, committed, and responsible fatherhood, and
promoting and supporting healthy marriages, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Promotion and Support of Responsible
Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. FATHERHOOD PROGRAM.
Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is
amended by inserting after part B the following:
``PART C--FATHERHOOD PROGRAM
``SEC. 441. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
``(a) Findings.--The Congress finds that there is substantial
evidence strongly indicating the urgent need to promote and support
involved, committed, and responsible fatherhood, and to encourage and
support healthy marriages between parents raising children, including
data demonstrating the following:-
``(1) In approximately 90 percent of cases where a parent
is absent, that parent is the father.
``(2) By some estimates, 60 percent of children born in the
1990s will spend a significant portion of their childhood in a
home without a father.
``(3) Nearly 75 percent of children in single-parent homes
will experience poverty before they are 11 years old, compared
with only 20 percent of children in 2-parent families.
``(4) Low income is positively correlated with children's
difficulties with education, social adjustment, and
delinquency, and single-parent households constitute a
disproportionate share of low-income households.
``(5) Where families (whether intact or with a parent
absent) are living in poverty, a significant factor is the
father's lack of job skills.
``(6) Children raised in 2-parent married families, on
average, fare better as a group in key areas, including better
school performance, reduced rates of substance abuse, crime,
and delinquency, fewer health, emotional, and behavioral
problems, lower rates of teenage sexual activity, less risk of
abuse or neglect, and lower risk of teen suicide.
``(7) Committed and responsible fathering during infancy
and early childhood contributes to the development of emotional
security, curiosity, and math and verbal skills.
``(8) An estimated 24,000,000 children (33.5 percent) live
apart from their biological father.
``(9) A recent national survey indicates that of all
children under age 18 not living with their biological father,
29 percent had not seen their father even once in the last 12
months.
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this part are:
``(1) To provide for projects and activities by public
entities and by nonprofit community entities, including
religious organizations, designed to test promising approaches
to accomplishing the following objectives:
``(A) Promoting responsible, caring, and effective
parenting through counseling, mentoring, and parenting
education, dissemination of educational materials and
information on parenting skills, encouragement of
positive father involvement, including the positive
involvement of nonresident fathers, and other methods.
``(B) Enhancing the abilities and commitment of
unemployed or low-income fathers to provide material
support for their families and to avoid or leave
welfare programs by assisting them to take full
advantage of education, job training, and job search
programs, to improve work habits and work skills, to
secure career advancement by activities such as
outreach and information dissemination, coordination,
as appropriate, with employment services and job
training programs, including the One-Stop delivery
system established under title I of the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998, encouragement and support of
regular and timely payment of child support in
appropriate cases, and other methods.
``(C) Improving fathers' ability to effectively
manage family business affairs by means such as
education, counseling, and mentoring in matters
including household management, budgeting, banking, and
handling of financial transactions, time management,
and home maintenance.
``(D) Encouraging and supporting healthy marriages
and married fatherhood through such activities as
premarital education, including the use of premarital
inventories, marriage preparation programs, skills-
based marriage education programs, marital therapy,
couples counseling, divorce education and reduction
programs, divorce mediation and counseling,
relationship skills enhancement programs, including
those designed to reduce child abuse and domestic
violence, and dissemination of information about the
benefits of marriage for both parents and children.
``(2) Through the projects and activities described in
paragraph (1), to improve outcomes for children with respect to
measures such as increased family income and economic security,
improved school performance, better health, improved emotional
and behavioral stability and social adjustment, and reduced
risk of delinquency, crime, substance abuse, child abuse and
neglect, teen sexual activity, and teen suicide.
``(3) To evaluate the effectiveness of various approaches
and to disseminate findings concerning outcomes and other
information in order to encourage and facilitate the
replication of effective approaches to accomplishing these
objectives.
``SEC. 442. DEFINITIONS.
``In this part, the terms `Indian tribe' and `tribal organization'
have the meanings given them in subsections (e) and (l), respectively,
of section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act.
``SEC. 443. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR SERVICE PROJECTS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants for fiscal years
2002 through 2006 to public and nonprofit community entities, including
religious organizations, and to Indian tribes and tribal organizations,
for demonstration service projects and activities designed to test the
effectiveness of various approaches to accomplish the objectives
specified in section 441(b)(1).
``(b) Eligibility Criteria for Full Service Grants.--In order to be
eligible for a grant under this section, except as specified in
subsection (c), an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary
containing the following:
``(1) Project description.--A statement including--
``(A) a description of the project and how it will
be carried out, including the geographical area to be
covered and the number and characteristics of clients
to be served, and how it will address each of the 4
objectives specified in section 441(b)(1); and
``(B) a description of the methods to be used by
the entity or its contractor to assess the extent to
which the project was successful in accomplishing its
specific objectives and the general objectives
specified in section 441(b)(1).
``(2) Experience and qualifications.--A demonstration of
ability to carry out the project, by means such as
demonstration of experience in successfully carrying out
projects of similar design and scope, and such other
information as the Secretary may find necessary to demonstrate
the entity's capacity to carry out the project, including the
entity's ability to provide the non-Federal share of project
resources.
``(3) Addressing child abuse and domestic violence.--A
description of how the entity will assess for the presence of,
and intervene to resolve, domestic violence and child abuse,
including how the entity will coordinate with State and local
child protective service and domestic violence programs.
``(4) Addressing concerns relating to substance abuse and
sexual activity.--A commitment to make available to each
individual participating in the project education about
alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and about the health risks
associated with abusing such substances, and information about
diseases and conditions transmitted through substance abuse and
sexual contact, including HIV/AIDS, and to coordinate with
providers of services addressing such problems, as appropriate.
``(5) Coordination with specified programs.--An undertaking
to coordinate, as appropriate, with State and local entities
responsible for the programs under parts A, B, and D of this
title, including programs under title I of the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998 (including the One-Stop delivery
system), and such other programs as the Secretary may require.
``(6) Records, reports, and audits.--An agreement to
maintain such records, make such reports, and cooperate with
such reviews or audits as the Secretary may find necessary for
purposes of oversight of project activities and expenditures.
``(7) Self-initiated evaluation.--If the entity elects to
contract for independent evaluation of the project (part or all
of the cost of which may be paid for using grant funds), a
commitment to submit to the Secretary a copy of the evaluation
report within 30 days after completion of the report and not
more than 1 year after completion of the project.
``(8) Cooperation with secretary's oversight and
evaluation.--An agreement to cooperate with the Secretary's
evaluation of projects assisted under this section, by means
including random assignment of clients to service recipient and
control groups, if determined by the Secretary to be
appropriate, and affording the Secretary access to the project
and to project-related records and documents, staff, and
clients.
``(c) Eligibility Criteria for Limited Purpose Grants.--In order to
be eligible for a grant under this section in an amount under $25,000
per fiscal year, an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary
containing the following:
``(1) Project description.--A description of the project
and how it will be carried out, including the number and
characteristics of clients to be served, the proposed duration
of the project, and how it will address at least 1 of the 4
objectives specified in section 441(b)(1).
``(2) Qualifications.--Such information as the Secretary
may require as to the capacity of the entity to carry out the
project, including any previous experience with similar
activities.
``(3) Coordination with related programs.--As required by
the Secretary in appropriate cases, an undertaking to
coordinate and cooperate with State and local entities
responsible for specific programs relating to the objectives of
the project including, as appropriate, jobs programs and
programs serving children and families.
``(4) Records, reports, and audits.--An agreement to
maintain such records, make such reports, and cooperate with
such reviews or audits as the Secretary may find necessary for
purposes of oversight of project activities and expenditures.
``(5) Cooperation with secretary's oversight and
evaluation.--An agreement to cooperate with the Secretary's
evaluation of projects assisted under this section, by means
including affording the Secretary access to the project and to
project-related records and documents, staff, and clients.
``(d) Considerations in Awarding Grants.--
``(1) Diversity of projects.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary shall seek to achieve a balance among
entities of differing sizes, entities in differing geographic
areas, entities in urban and in rural areas, and entities
employing differing methods of achieving the purposes of this
section.
``(2) Preference for projects serving low-income fathers.--
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary may give
preference to applications for projects in which a majority of
the clients to be served are low-income fathers.
``(e) Federal Share.--
``(1) In general.--Grants for a project under this section
for a fiscal year shall be available for a share of the cost of
such project in such fiscal year equal to--
``(A) up to 80 percent (or up to 90 percent, if the
entity demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction
circumstances limiting the entity's ability to secure
non-Federal resources) in the case of a project under
subsection (b); and
``(B) up to 100 percent, in the case of a project
under subsection (c).
``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share may be in
cash or in kind. In determining the amount of the non-Federal
share, the Secretary may attribute fair market value to goods,
services, and facilities contributed from non-Federal sources.
``SEC. 444. MULTICITY, MULTISTATE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants under this section
for fiscal years 2002 through 2006 to eligible entities (as specified
in subsection (b)) for 2 multicity, multistate projects demonstrating
approaches to achieving the objectives specified in section 441(b)(1).
One of the projects shall test the use of married couples to deliver
program services.
``(b) Eligible Entities.--An entity eligible for a grant under this
section must be a national nonprofit fatherhood promotion organization
that meets the following requirements:
``(1) Experience with fatherhood programs.--The
organization must have substantial experience in designing and
successfully conducting programs that meet the purposes
described in section 441.
``(2) Experience with multicity, multistate programs and
government coordination.--The organization must have experience
in simultaneously conducting such programs in more than 1 major
metropolitan area in more than 1 State and in coordinating such
programs, where appropriate, with State and local government
agencies and private, nonprofit agencies (including community-
based and religious organizations), including State or local
agencies responsible for child support enforcement and
workforce development.
``(c) Application Requirements.--In order to be eligible for a
grant under this section, an entity must submit to the Secretary an
application that includes the following:
``(1) Qualifications.--
``(A) Eligible entity.--A demonstration that the
entity meets the requirements of subsection (b).
``(B) Other.--Such other information as the
Secretary may find necessary to demonstrate the
entity's capacity to carry out the project, including
the entity's ability to provide the non-Federal share
of project resources.
``(2) Project description.--A description of and
commitments concerning the project design, including the
following:
``(A) In general.--A detailed description of the
proposed project design and how it will be carried out,
which shall--
``(i) provide for the project to be
conducted in at least 3 major metropolitan
areas;
``(ii) state how it will address each of
the 4 objectives specified in section
441(b)(1);
``(iii) demonstrate that there is a
sufficient number of potential clients to allow
for the random selection of individuals to
participate in the project and for comparisons
with appropriate control groups composed of
individuals who have not participated in such
projects; and
``(iv) demonstrate that the project is
designed to direct a majority of project
resources to activities serving low-income
fathers (but the project need not make services
available on a means-tested basis).
``(B) Oversight, evaluation, and adjustment
component.--An agreement that the entity--
``(i) in consultation with the evaluator
selected pursuant to section 445, and as
required by the Secretary, will modify the
project design, initially and (if necessary)
subsequently throughout the duration of the
project, in order to facilitate ongoing and
final oversight and evaluation of project
operation and outcomes (by means including, to
the maximum extent feasible, random assignment
of clients to service recipient and control
groups), and to provide for mid-course
adjustments in project design indicated by
interim evaluations;
``(ii) will submit to the Secretary revised
descriptions of the project design as modified
in accordance with clause (i); and
``(iii) will cooperate fully with the
Secretary's ongoing oversight and ongoing and
final evaluation of the project, by means
including affording the Secretary access to the
project and to project-related records and
documents, staff, and clients.
``(3) Addressing child abuse and domestic violence.--A
description of how the entity will assess for the presence of,
and intervene to resolve, domestic violence and child abuse,
including how the entity will coordinate with State and local
child protective service and domestic violence programs.
``(4) Addressing concerns relating to substance abuse and
sexual activity.--A commitment to make available to each
individual participating in the project education about
alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and about the health risks
associated with abusing such substances, and information about
diseases and conditions transmitted through substance abuse and
sexual contact, including HIV/AIDS, and to coordinate with
providers of services addressing such problems, as appropriate.
``(5) Coordination with specified programs.--An undertaking
to coordinate, as appropriate, with State and local entities
responsible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families,
Welfare-to-Work, Child Support Enforcement, and Child Welfare
Service programs under title IV of the Social Security Act,
programs under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
(including the One-Stop delivery system), and such other
programs as the Secretary may require.
``(6) Records, reports, and audits.--An agreement to
maintain such records, make such reports, and cooperate with
such reviews or audits (in addition to those required under the
preceding provisions of paragraph (2)) as the Secretary may
find necessary for purposes of oversight of project activities
and expenditures.
``(d) Federal Share.--
``(1) In general.--Grants for a project under this section
for a fiscal year shall be available for up to 80 percent of
the cost of such project in such fiscal year.
``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share may be in
cash or in kind. In determining the amount of the non-Federal
share, the Secretary may attribute fair market value to goods,
services, and facilities contributed from non-Federal sources.
``SEC. 445. EVALUATION.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, directly or by contract or
cooperative agreement, shall evaluate the effectiveness of service
projects funded under sections 443 and 444 from the standpoint of the
purposes specified in section 441(b)(1).
``(b) Evaluation Methodology.--Evaluations under this section
shall--
``(1) include, to the maximum extent feasible, random
assignment of clients to service delivery and control groups
and other appropriate comparisons of groups of individuals
receiving and not receiving services;
``(2) describe and measure the effectiveness of the
projects in achieving their specific project goals; and
``(3) describe and assess, as appropriate, the impact of
such projects on marriage, parenting, domestic violence, child
abuse, money management, employment and earnings, payment of
child support, and child well-being, health, and education.
``(c) Evaluation Reports.--The Secretary shall publish the
following reports on the results of the evaluation:
``(1) An implementation evaluation report covering the
first 24 months of the activities under this part to be
completed by 36 months after initiation of such activities.
``(2) A final report on the evaluation to be completed by
September 30, 2009.
``SEC. 446. PROJECTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.
The Secretary is authorized, by grant, contract, or cooperative
agreement, to carry out projects and activities of national
significance relating to fatherhood promotion, including--
``(1) Collection and dissemination of information.--
Assisting States, communities, and private entities, including
religious organizations, in efforts to promote and support
marriage and responsible fatherhood by collecting, evaluating,
developing, and making available (through the Internet and by
other means) to all interested parties information regarding
approaches to accomplishing the objectives specified in section
441(b)(1).
``(2) Media campaign.--Developing, promoting, and
distributing to interested States, local governments, public
agencies, and private nonprofit organizations, including
charitable and religious organizations, a media campaign that
promotes and encourages involved, committed, and responsible
fatherhood and married fatherhood.
``(3) Technical assistance.--Providing technical
assistance, including consultation and training, to public and
private entities, including community organizations and faith-
based organizations, in the implementation of local fatherhood
promotion programs.
``(4) Research.--Conducting research related to the
purposes of this part.
``SEC. 447. NONDISCRIMINATION.
``The projects and activities assisted under this part shall be
available on the same basis to all fathers and expectant fathers able
to benefit from such projects and activities, including married and
unmarried fathers and custodial and noncustodial fathers, with
particular attention to low-income fathers, and to mothers and
expectant mothers on the same basis as to fathers.
``SEC. 448. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; RESERVATION FOR CERTAIN
PURPOSE.
``(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated
$64,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006 to carry out the
provisions of this part.
``(b) Reservation.--Of the amount appropriated under this section
for each fiscal year, 15 percent, but in no event less than $5,000,000,
shall be available for the costs of the multicity, multistate
demonstration projects under section 444, evaluations under section
445, and projects of national significance under section 446.''.
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