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Maryland Regional Practitioner's Network
for
Fathers and Families
2005
Legislative Agenda
The Maryland Regional Practitioners' Network for Fathers and Families (MRPNFF) supports policies and practices that improve the quality of life for families living in Maryland.
Housing prices in Maryland have risen dramatically yet wages have not kept pace. Many working families are unable to find affordable housing and are kept out of the rental or home buying market .
Strategies
MRPNFF supports private and governmental investment in communities to bring affordable housing to working families .
• Increased funding for Transitional Housing.
• Support the removal of Federally mandated prohibitions that prevent many from obtaining adequate housing.
• Support private and local partnerships to bring affordable housing to working families or individuals.
Maryland has steadily decreased the number of families receiving financial assistance from the state. Yet, for the working poor, there has also been a steady decline in the availability of affordable, quality day care options for those families.
Strategies:
MRPNFF supports increased funding day care vouchers and after school programs throughout the region.
• MRPNFF will support legislation and or budget items to increase the availability of funds for low and moderate-income families to purchase childcare.
• MRPNFF supports the full funding of Head Start and Early Head Start programs throughout the state.
Although Maryland has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, many are kept out of the job market due to poor education, criminal backgrounds or inadequate training to meet the demands of a modern workforce.
Strategies:
MRPNFF support the removal of barriers that prevent individuals from gaining full employment and an opportunity to provide a better way of life for their families.
• MRPNFF will advocate for the establishment and the continuation of existing programs that increase workforce development.
• MRPNFF will advocate for limited expungment of certain offenses that are barriers to employment.
• Increased funding for Community Development Centers.
• MRPNFF will advocate for an increase in funding for adult based literacy programs throughout the region.
MRPNFF recognizes that fathers play a critical role in the financial and emotion support of their children
Strategies:
MRPNFF seeks fair and efficient Child Support Practices that value fathers and benefit children.
• MRPNFF supports programs that fairly address the reality of low-income fathers.
• MRPNFF supports strategies that reduce or bate the accumulation of arrears.
Each year thousands of individuals return home from incarceration. Many are parents who have left their children behind while incarcerated.
Strategies:
MRPNFF supports the successful re-integration of these individuals into their communities and their families.
• MRPNFF supports the establishment of re-entry programs that address the special need of parents who are returning home.
• MRPNFF supports integrating parenting support services within the prison system.
Research has demonstrated that when children have the benefit of two active and engaged parents they are far more likely to graduate from school and stay out of the criminal justice system. MRPNFF Supports:
· MRPNFF supports the creation of more access and visitation sites within faith and community based organizations.
· MRPNFF supports using TANF monies to increase services to fragile families, including: relationship building, co-parenting and marriage counseling.
Maryland General Assembly Home Page
Who: Organizations, Members, Fathers & Families
What: Father's Day in Annapolis
When: February 14th, 2006, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Legislative Services Building , Annapolis MD
Learn about the legislative process and meet those lawmakers who
are dedicated to serving fathers and families. Talk about the issues affecting fathers and how lawmakers can play a role in strengthening the lives of fathers and their families.
PLEASE E-MAIL, FAX OR MAIL RETURN INFORMATION NO LATER THAN 01/24/06.
1200 W. Baltimore St., Room #005 § Baltimore, MD 21223
Local Number: 410-244.0751 § Toll Free: 800-859-0956
Email Address: leonhenry@mrpnff.org § Website: www.mrpnff.org
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