Purpose

Expands the eligibility for the Young Fathers mentoring programs from 16 to 26 years of age to 14 through 26 years of age.

Background

The Department of Economic Security (DES) contracts with the Arizona Head Start Association (statewide), Chicanos Por La Causa (Maricopa), the Southside Family Life Center (Pima) and Child and Family Resources, Inc. (Maricopa, Pima and Yuma) to provide services to assist young fathers in becoming self-sufficient, share in supporting their children and actively parent their children. Services include remedial education, high school or General Equivalency Degree (GED) preparation, vocational training, job search and readiness, job placement, life skills training and mentoring. According to DES, 263 individuals participated in FY 1999-2000.

Laws 1998, Chapter 208 established the Young Fathers contracted programs for fathers from 16 through 22 years of age. Laws 1999, Chapter 272 extended the age of eligibility from 16 through 26 years of age. This bill expands the age of eligibility from 14 through 26 years of age.

According to the Department of Health Services, there were four young men who became fathers in 1999 who were 17 years of age or younger, of whom one was less than 15 years of age. The fiscal impact for this bill appears to be slight, considering the number of fathers who are 14 or 15 potentially eligible for the program.

Provisions

1. Modifies eligibility for the Young Fathers programs from a minimum age of 16 to a minimum age of 14.

2. Makes technical and conforming changes.

3. Provides for a general effective date.

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