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Hawaii Fatherhood Initiative

By: Sherry Palmer | June 24, 2022 | Last modified July 2, 2022

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 577E-1

Current through Act 41 of the 2022 Legislative Session

Section 577E-1 – Findings and purpose

The legislature finds that, across the United States, there is a renewed understanding of the unique importance of fathers in the lives of their children, families, and communities. It is widely recognized that children are more likely to thrive with support, guidance, and nurturing from both parents. The absence of one parent from a child’s life can place that child at a greater risk of health, emotional, educational, and behavioral problems associated with the child’s development. However, many young men today are themselves fatherless, lack appropriate role models, and are in need of information and education regarding the appropriate roles and responsibilities of fathers.

The legislature further finds that the role of fathers in the raising of children and in the health and well-being of families is often unintentionally overlooked in government contracts, programs, and services dealing with children’s health, welfare, and education.

It is the purpose of this chapter to provide for a statewide program to promote healthy family relationships between parents and children.

HRS § 577E-1

L 2003, c 156 , pt of §2; am L 2005, c 148, §2; ree L 2006, c 232 , pt of §1; am L 2007, c 190, §1 .

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 577E-4

Section 577E-4 – Duties

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.

HRS § 577E-4

L 2003, c 156 , pt of §2; am L 2005, c 148, §2; ree L 2006, c 232 , pt of §1; am L 2007, c 190, §1 .

What is the Commission on Fatherhood?

The Commission on Fatherhood (COF) was created by the Hawaiian legislature to carry out the purpose of the Fatherhood Initiative which is “to promote healthy family relationships between parents and children,” by correcting the fatherless epidemic.

What can the Commission on Fatherhood do?

“. . . the commission may make recommendations on programs, services, and contracts relating to children and families.

What is the Commission on Fatherhood’s duties?

(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.

What is the purpose of the Commission on Fatherhood?

To reengage fathers in the lives of their children and to identify government policies and practices both within and without state government that impede or prevent father involvement.

To promote, foster, encourage, and otherwise support programs that increase father involvement, decrease poverty, educate fathers, and raise public awareness of the consequences that the abscence of the father may cause in a child’s life.

What is the mission of the Hawaii State Commission on Fatherhood?

The mission of the Hawaii State Commission on Fatherhood (COF) is to promote healthy family relationships by emphasizing the important role fathers play in the lives of their children.

Which government agency is the Commission on Fatherhood located?

Department of Human Services is where you can find more information on this commission.

What capacity does the Commission on Fatherhood serve?

The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to state agencies and makes recommendations on programs, services, contracts, policies, and laws relating to children and families.

What is the phone number for the Commission on Fatherhood?

Call the Public Assistance Information Line and they can direct you: 855-643-1643

Where do I find the meeting minutes and agenda for the Commission on Fatherhood?

You can find the meeting minutes and agendas for this Commission here: State of Hawaii Department of Human Services Commission on Fatherhood. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the minutes and agendas.

When are the Commission meetings?

COF monthly public meetings are held on the 3rd Friday of each month at 1pm.

How do I attend one of the Commission meetings?

If you are attending by Zoom, please register with ehawaii.gov and check the calendar for more information and meeting updates.

Where does the funding for the Commission on Fatherhood come from?

The Commission on Fatherhood receives both State and private funds.

Ron B Palmer Small Bio image

Written by Sherry Palmer

As a constitutional family rights expert researcher and writer, Sherry helps parents and their attorneys see the possibilities in making constitutional arguments for parental rights as being in the child’s best interests. She enables parents and attorneys to assert rights and convert the constitutional principles into everyday practice and natural language. Sherry does this through creating and teaching online digital courses, speaking, webinars, and workshops. Sherry’s teachings are unique and cutting edge to the family law industry developed by her and her husband. Sherry attributes successfully developing the most powerful tools and a five-stage formula to assist attorneys and pro se parents get better results and fight legal abuses that occur in the family court settings.