While the Initiative's early attention centered on fatherhood programs, a more complex Initiative emerged as the Foundation discovered that programming was simply not enough.  Dealing with symptoms of father absence by working solely with individual fathers was only half of the work to be done.  Factors rooted in policies, practices and attitudes that affect a father's ability to be involved in his child's life surfaced. By late 1999 fatherhood policy activities were emerging at a rapid pace.  The Foundation believed that policy changes must be based on knowledge, experience and expertise in a relatively young filed and developed in a collaborative manner crossing all domes of public life. 

South Carolina Fatherhood Policy Project Office
In 2000, the Foundation established the South Carolina Fatherhood Policy Project Office to help assess and address barriers rooted in policies and practices.  Representing diverse, non-partisan perspectives from community groups to statewide leadership, the South Carolina Fatherhood Policy Project Office formed to conduct policy and practices research and analysis to help shape and implement new or change existing policies, practices and attitudes that are barriers for fathers who desire to support their families, 

While tackling policy issues and advocating for fathers, concern escalated for the lack of access to services for fathers statewide.  Foundation attention turned to developing two statewide non-profit organizations that in collaboration with government and others can help fathers gain access to the services desperately needed. 

South Carolina Fatherhood Practitioners Network, Inc.
Capacity among practitioners and individuals interested in working with fathers is essential to building a statewide infrastructure. They need both information about this non-traditional approach and the tools and skills to succeed in working with fathers.

With the support of a Ford Foundation grant to the National Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families, South Carolina began a state practitioner's network. In 2002, The SC Fatherhood Practitioners Network, Inc., took on life as a separate 501(c)3 membership-driven organization funded with a multi-year Foundation grant.

Today, the Network provides education and training through workshops and conferences and provides services and resources to its members. The Network's aim is a well-developed cadre of professionals with the mindset, tenacity, and skills to work with and on behalf of fathers.

To contact the South Carolina Fatherhood Practitioners Network:

Michael Burgess, Executive Director
South Carolina Fatherhood Practitioners Network
2611 Forest Drive, Suite 102
Columbia, South Carolina  29204
(803) 256-6660

South Carolina Center For Fathers and Families
The Foundation was willing to stick with fatherhood over a prolonged period to make a difference. But its tenure should not, could not, be forever. While the South Carolina Fatherhood Practitioners Network was formed to build capacity among those reaching fathers, a companion statewide organization was needed to ensure Initiative-sustaining resources long after the Foundation had moved on. None existed until the public/private partnership with DSS sparked the creation of that statewide non-profit organization.

Thus, in 2002, the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families emerged to assure support for fathers and families through resource development for fatherhood programs and policy research. Today, that Center aggressively seeks traditional and innovative strategies to sustain and expand the Initiative. The Center will continue to pursue policy research that supports advocacy-compelling policy reform to eliminate barriers for fathers and families.

To contact the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families:

Pat Littlejohn, Interim Executive Director
South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families
2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 115
Columbia, South Carolina  29204
(803) 254-0230

By working together, the Network, the Center and others, the Initiative's goals can be achieved. Fathers can access the services they need. Change can occur.

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