On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill aimed at “equipping dads with parenting resources and helping foster youth.” The legislation results from what Florida leaders are calling a “fatherhood crisis.” The measure received bipartisan support.
Bill HB 7065 has roughly $32.6 million earmarked to go towards grants that will assist fathers. “The grants will be targeted at issues such as helping fathers find employment, manage child support obligations and transition from a period of incarceration” reports WLRN Public Media.
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis said during a press conference Monday that the measure will have “huge ramifications” for helping young Floridians reach their potential. “If you look over the last many decades, one of the worst social trends has been the decline of fatherhood. And we do have, in many instances, a fatherhood crisis in this country. The fact of the matter is when you take kids who do not have a father present during their upbringing, the chance of them dropping out of school, getting involved in trouble with the law, having other difficulties, increases dramatically.”
The bill also allows for funding in the state budget to go to grants that “provide evidence-based parenting education specifically for fathers.” Additionally, the bill increased a stipend for young adults who previously were in the foster care system and are attending postsecondary schools from $1,256 to $1,720.
DeSantis reiterated the need for fathers to be present in their children’s lives. “We’re putting our money where our mouth is. We’re here showing the importance of this. But you’ve got to be willing to do the right thing and be present in your child’s life. You’re not a man by leaving your kids hung out to dry. You need to be there,” DeSantis said.