ROMULUS - DHS Director Marianne Udow today accepted the 2007 Child Advocate Award from the Michigan Fatherhood Coalition. The award honors individuals who make substantial contributions that promote responsible fatherhood.

Udow was singled out for her commitment to funding and expanding the Proud Fathers-Proud Parents programs that provide funds for community agencies to deliver group-based instruction about responsible male parenting, promoting healthy marriages and co-parenting efforts. The program will disburse about $1 million from federal TANF funds during fiscal year 2007 to 22 counties.

"I am honored to be recognized," Udow said. "Fathers provide a critical influence in their children's lives. The Proud Fathers and Proud Parents programs give parents the tools to improve outcomes for their children. Even if they don't live together, parents are connected by their care and concern for their children."

The Michigan Fatherhood Coalition honored Udow and other policy leaders at its fifth annual Fatherhood Conference. The non-profit organization promotes the need for responsible male parenting and positive co-parenting relationships through a network of private and public practitioners who offer programming. Nancy Willyard of the Head Start State Collaboration Office also was awarded a 2007 Child Advocate Award for the organization's support of scholarships to attend the Michigan Fatherhood Coalition's annual conference.

"The Department of Human Services' Proud Fathers-Proud Parents Program is a great contribution to this state's promotion of healthy and independent families," said Mike Kildee, chair of the Michigan Fatherhood Coalition. "Your effort to maintain this programming, despite difficult budget times, greatly impacts Michigan children."

Proud Fathers provides 14-weeks of group-based instruction for fathers or other male caretakers of children who qualify for TANF services. Proud Parents offers a 10-week, group-based program designed for married or unmarried couples. Both programs stress the importance of nurturing relationships between parents and children as well as family self-sufficiency. In 2006, 297 parents in 19 counties participated in the two programs.