1998 Minnesota Statutes

     124D.33 Male responsibility and fathering grants. 

    Subdivision 1.    Establishment.  The commissioner of 
 children, families, and learning, in consultation with the 
 commissioner of human services, shall make male responsibility 
 and fathering grants to youth or parenting programs that 
 collaborate with districts to educate young people, particularly 
 males ages ten to 21, on the responsibilities of parenthood. 

    Subd. 2.    Matching money.  Each dollar of state money 
 must be matched with at least 50 cents of nonstate money 
 including in-kind contributions.  Those programs with a higher 
 match will have a greater chance of receiving a grant. 

    Subd. 3.    Expected outcomes.  Grant recipients must 
 use the funds for programs designed to prevent teen pregnancy 
 and to prevent crime in the long term.  Recipient programs must 
 assist youth to: 

    (1) understand the connection between sexual behavior, 
 adolescent pregnancy, and the roles and responsibilities of 
 marriage and parenting; 

    (2) understand the long-term responsibility of fatherhood; 

    (3) understand the importance of fathers in the lives of 
 children; 

    (4) acquire parenting skills and knowledge of child 
 development; and 

    (5) find community support for their roles as fathers and 
 nurturers of children. 

    Subd. 4.    Grant applications.  (a) An application for 
 a grant may be submitted by a youth or parenting program whose 
 purpose is to reduce teen pregnancy or teach child development 
 and parenting skills in collaboration with a district.  Each 
 grant application must include a description of the program's 
 structure and components, including collaborative and outreach 
 efforts; an implementation and evaluation plan to measure the 
 program's success; a plan for using males as instructors and 
 mentors; and a cultural diversity plan to ensure that staff or 
 teachers will reflect the cultural backgrounds of the population 
 served and that the program content is culturally sensitive. 

    (b) Grant recipients must, at a minimum, provide education 
 in responsible parenting and child development, responsible 
 decision-making related to marriage and relationships, and the 
 legal implications of paternity.  Grant recipients also must 
 provide public awareness efforts in the collaborating school 
 district.  Grant recipients may offer support groups, health and 
 nutrition education, and mentoring and peer teaching. 

    (c) A grant applicant must establish an advisory committee 
 to assist the applicant in planning and implementation of a 
 grant.  The advisory committee must include student 
 representatives, adult males from the community, representatives 
 of community organizations, teachers, parent educators, and 
 representatives of family social service agencies. 

    Subd. 5.    Administration.  The commissioner shall 
 administer male responsibility and fathering grants.  The 
 commissioner shall establish a grant review committee composed 
 of teachers and representatives of community organizations, 
 student organizations, and education or family social service 
 agencies that offer parent education programs. 

    HIST: 1994 c 647 art 8 s 24; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 
 397 art 3 s 94-97,103 

*   NOTE:  See section 15.059, subdivision 5a, for expiration 
*of male responsibility and fathering grants review committee.