The Circle City Fatherhood Coalition (CCFC) was initially formed in 2007 using money from a grant provided to the Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Community Access Grant, one of only five awarded across the country in 2006, is part of a national initiative to strengthen local coalitions addressing this issue. IYI's grant funds a statewide Indiana Responsible Fatherhood Coalition program that provides technical assistance and financial awards to five community collaborations that will devise practical strategies for helping dads become more involved with their children.

The grant process began with five regional fatherhood summits that featured state and national experts on father involvement. Keynote speakers for the summits included David Blankenhorn of the Institute of American Values and Chris Brown of the National Fatherhood Initiative, Indianapolis Head Coach Tony Dungy, and Dr. Wade F. Horn of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Initially applying for the Indianapolis region with The Westside Cooperative Organization as CCFC's lead agency, Jobs Partnership of Greater Indianapolis has since taken over that responsibility. The collaborations were designed to consist primarily of smaller faith-based and other community organizations, each receiving over 300 hours of free technical assistance along with grant funds averaging more than $115,000. Organizations involved in this process were required to have an annual budget of no more than $300,000 dollars.

The Circle City Fatherhood Coalition consists of partners that are based throughout Indianapolis and currently include, Bethlehem House, Eden Neighborhood Development Corporation, Jobs Partnership of Greater Indianapolis, Save the Youth Incorporated, and Voice of the Wilderness Ministries. *

 

* Information gathered in part from the Indiana Youth Institute.