Rome OCSS to host a Fathers and Families Job Fair

March 28, 2008

ATLANTA (GA) - On Thursday, April 3, 2008, the Rome Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) will sponsor a job fair to provide parents new career opportunities and the chance to increase their wages. The job fair will be held at the Rome Library located at 205 Riverside Parkway in Rome, Georgia from noon until 4:00 p.m. The job fair is open to all job seekers. Attendees are asked to dress professionally and to prepare to interview immediately on site.

"We are excited that businesses have stepped up to participate in this community effort," said OCSS Director Keith Horton. "This is an exciting opportunity to partner with the community to build stronger families and a stronger Georgia."

Applicants will have the opportunity to receive resume writing assistance, apply for and discuss employment opportunities, and learn about the Georgia Fatherhood Program. Over the past decade, OCSS has been working towards increasing the amount of parents who remain current on child support by creating the Fatherhood Program. The Fatherhood Program is used to help non-custodial parents who lack the economic capacity to make timely payments due to employment barriers, overcome those barriers. Some of the barriers include lack of a high school diploma or GED, no driver's license or transportation, alcohol and substance abuse, criminal records, and mental health issues. The program works with non custodial parents who are willing, yet unable to pay their support regularly. The Fatherhood Program generally takes three to six months to complete and serves both fathers and mothers who are non-custodial parents. The participants are required to work at least 20 hours per week while enrolled in the program and pay child support. Upon completion of the program, participants receive assistance in obtaining full-time employment at a livable wage. Georgia's Fatherhood Program is the largest state-operated fatherhood program in the country.

For information, contact:
Camille Cunningham, 404/463-5027
cycunningham@dhr.state.ga.us