THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 11, 1996 TAG: 9607090114
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 32 lines
A public forum that will address the growing problem of father absence - and help organizations, agencies and individuals find funds to tackle the problem - will be held Tuesday at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.
The last in a series of similar meetings held throughout the state, the Norfolk Forum on Fatherhood is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Fatherhood Campaign.
``This is not a pep rally for fathers,'' explained Matt Buckwalter, manager of the campaign. ``This is a meeting to convene community leaders to talk about things that can be done on the community level to promote responsible fathering. It's a brainstorming session, an informal strategy session.''
Securing funds for those ideas will not be just a pipe dream. The state health department plans to grant $100,000 in seed money for proposed ``father-friendly'' projects throughout Virginia.
Grants will be awarded in two rounds. The first will be announced Aug. 15 and the second, Oct. 15. Deadlines for submitting grant proposals are July 31 and Sept. 31.
Some experts contend that nearly four out of every 10 children in Virginia live in homes where there is no father. Father absence, some speculate, contributes to a wide array of social problems, from crime and teenage pregnancy to drug abuse and educational decline. MEMO: The Norfolk forum will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Reservations can
be made by calling (703) 523-5749 by Friday. by CNB