Duties of the Commission on Fatherhood

The commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to state agencies to promote healthy family relationships between parents and children. In addition, the commission may make recommendations on programs, services, and contracts relating to children and families, and may: (1) Act as a central clearinghouse and coordinating body for governmental and nongovernmental activities and information relating to the promotion of healthy families; (2) Identify promising best practices that support and engage both parents in the emotional and financial support of their children; (3) Identify obstacles that impede or prevent the involvement of fathers in the lives of their children; (4) Raise public awareness of the consequences that the absence of the father may cause in a child's life; (5) Recommend policies and practices, both within and without state government, that sustain and reengage fathers in the lives of their children; (6) Promote, foster, encourage, and otherwise support programs designed to educate and train young men who are both current and future fathers as to effective parenting skills, behaviors, and attitudes; (7) Promote, foster, encourage, and otherwise support programs that promote fatherhood; (8) Promote, foster, encourage, and otherwise support programs that counter poverty and low income by increasing the capacity of fathers to overcome personal challenges and become productive, independent, and financially responsible contributors to their family; and (9) Do any and all things necessary to carry out its duties and the purposes of this chapter.