World Vision – Appalachia, located in Philippi, will use the funding to work with the National Fatherhood Initiative on strengthening the community’s understanding of the critical role fathers play in the lives of their children.

“Study after study has shown what most us intuitively understand,” Mollohan said, “A child benefits from two committed and engaged parents. The growing number of absentee fathers is one of the strongest fundamental explanations for so many social problems – from poverty to juvenile and adult incarceration to drug abuse and child abuse. I commend World Vision for taking on this huge challenge, and I am pleased to support this project.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 25 million children live apart from their biological fathers. The National Fatherhood Initiative says that these children are “at least two to three times more likely to be poor, to use drugs, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral programs” than children who live with married parents.

The local World Vision program will include a series of training sessions conducted with at least 20 partner organizations, including community groups, churches, faith-based organizations, schools, businesses, law enforcement departments, prisons and jails, and other non-profits.

In addition to encouraging fathers to be engaged in their children’s lives, the World Vision program will also encourage young men to delay fatherhood until they are physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially able to support their children.

“We greatly appreciate Congressman Mollohan’s support for this project,” said Reginald Trefethen, Jr., Executive Director of World Vision – Appalachia. “The role of the father is critical for children to grow into healthy and productive members of society.”

Mollohan chairs the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee, which drafted its fiscal year 2011 spending bill last week. The $135,000 is included in the draft. The legislation must be approved by the House and Senate and signed into law before any funding can be delivered.

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