AFIRM - A Father’s Involvement Really Matters. AFIRM is a new and unique model targeted exclusively to fathers and the first to be piloted by a state in the U.S. The program is focused on achieving three key goals for low-income fathers: increase economic mobility and earning capacity; increase sustained child support payments; and develop potential for healthy parenting and co-parenting. Our model respects that low-income men need – and access – services differently than traditional programs deliver. Our vision is to permanently transform the way that low-income fathers are viewed and served by safety net and social programs.

Low-income father of low-income families between the age of 18 and 40 who live in Shelby County, TN. The father must have at least one open child support case (whether under order or still being established) in the Tennessee child support system.

AFIRM invests in Memphis’ low-income fathers by building capacity to reduce dependency. Father’s benefit from a program intentionally designed to focus on serving men and helping men achieve sustained improvement in communicating and improving the relationship with their children through healthy co-parenting. Fathers receive support in the form of education and training, employment resources, financial assistance and direct assistance in resolving issues related to ongoing and new child support orders.

Yes. The Education & Employment Specialists team is dedicated to work directly with fathers and area employers to cultivate job openings, internship and experiential learning opportunities. We help fathers design a career path focused on building occupational skills for higher wage growth and better employment opportunities.

AFIRM offers peer support groups, fatherhood development classes, and co-parenting workshops. The program provides financial supportive services to help fathers successfully achieve the established program goals and navigate daily barriers to employment opportunities and education/credential attainment.

Yes, participants must reside in Shelby County to be eligible for services.

There will not be incentives, but participants can receive Milestone Payments for completing pre-defined milestones in the program. Example; job placement and retention, and signing a co-parenting plan of agreement.