Lawmakers hear bipartisan bid to expand Father Project workforce and parenting services
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Summary
Senators heard testimony in support of Senate Files 591 and 648 to expand the Father Project model run by Goodwill Easterseals and local partners; sponsors said the program combines employment services, parenting classes and child‑support management and requested continued funding.
Senator Champion and Senator Koren presented Senate File 591 (and related Senate File 648), which would fund the Father Project, a program run by Goodwill Easter Seals that combines job coaching, parenting classes and child‑support services for fathers.
Andrew Freeberg, director of Family Stability Services at Goodwill Easter Seals Minnesota, outlined the program: “We integrate job coaching and placement, parenting classes, child support management, and wrap around services.” He said the Father Project serves primarily low‑income, noncustodial fathers facing multiple barriers and reported strong outcomes from pilot sites in Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Cloud and St. Paul.
Jason Tucker, a participant who testified about the program’s personal impact, summarized his experience: after struggling with homelessness, unemployment and substance dependence he enrolled in the Father Project and said he had since secured steady employment, maintained sobriety and found stable housing. Tucker urged continued funding so more fathers can access job training, parenting supports and mentoring.
Bo Jeroga, who started as a program participant and later became a father engagement coordinator in Olmsted and Dodge counties, described cases where the program’s combination of employment coaching and parenting support helped a father regain steady employment, housing and healthier co‑parenting arrangements.
Testimony included a reference to research that shows positive economic returns: sponsors cited a Wilder Research estimate of a conservative 3‑to‑1 return on investment for the model. Testifiers and sponsors asked the committee for level funding to maintain and expand the four existing sites and to build capacity statewide. The committee laid both bills over for possible inclusion; no votes were recorded on appropriations.