Federal Government Awards Nearly $120 Million For Programs That Promote Marriage And Fatherhood!!!

By Team BLAM

The federal government this week announced a new round of funding — nearly $120 million — for programs across the country that promote marriage or fatherhood, an initiative that began under President Bush and has now been continued by President Obama.

The Administration for Children and Families, (ACF), which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, announced Monday that it was awarding $119.4 million in grants to 120 organizations — $59.9 million for 60 marriage programs and $59.3 million for 60 fatherhood programs.

There happens to be a lot of controversy around whether this much money, if any, should be invested in programs that teach and encourage skills. There are actually a lot of haters that say that Marriage Education & Fatherhood programs are a waste. We, at BLAM, simply don’t agree. The statistics speak for themselves. Our nation–our community needs to be educated and restored when it comes to learning to build satisfying, strong, healthy marriages and families. So, we are ecstatic!

Among the recipients are religious organizations, state departments of family services and nonprofit groups. The maximum grant was $2.5 million, which several organizations received, and the lowest was $338,000 for Youth and Family Services in El Reno,Okla.

“A strong and stable family is the greatest advantage any child can have,” George Sheldon, HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families, said in a press release. “These grants support programs that promote responsible parenting, encourage healthy relationships and marriage, and help families move toward self-sufficiency and economic stability.”

Hats off to President Obama for continuing funding of these worthy programs and desperately needed programs despite the opposition!