- About
-
Early Childhood
Education - Family Services
- Prevention Services
The Geminus Real Fathers Initiative program assists fathers with being a part of their children’s lives. The program offers a variety of counseling services, including educational, vocational, and family-planning counseling.
Fathers are taught parenting skills and how to be an effective parent. A lot of times fathers don’t know how to complete small tasks such as meal preparation, assisting with school work, preparing clothing for school, etc. In the Real Fathers Initiative program, fathers learn these basic tasks. They also engage in role playing to help fathers gain a better understanding of what it takes to parent. The program provides fathers with a family advocate that can assist them in finding suitable housing information and assistance.
To increase involvement by fathers and their families in the lives of their children; by providing prevention and substance abuse treatment programs for non-custodial fathers in the child welfare and juvenile justice system.
To engage fathers.
To engage paternal family members to become involved in the lives of their children.
To address paternity issues, DNA testing and costs for DNA testing.
To get involved with assistance in the child support division.
To provide wraparound services that strengthen support for fathers.
Home-based services
Case management
Housing
Referral for services
Transportation
Employment assistance and training
Visitation with children
Parenting education and support groups
Mentoring-volunteer program
Establishing paternity
If you are a parent of a child born out of wedlock, there are two ways to establish legal paternity of your child: 1) you may either sign a paternity affidavit; or, 2) you may file a court action for paternity.
A paternity affidavit is used when both parents agree that the alleged father is the biological father of the child. Both parents must sign the paternity affidavit. A paternity affidavit can be signed at the hospital where the child was born, within 72 hours after the child’s birth. A paternity affidavit can also be signed at your local health department at any time before the child reaches the age of majority and is emancipated.
For more information, contact the Real Father's Initiative at 219-757-1800.
Geminus supports early childhood education, family services, and prevention programs in Northwest and Northern Indiana. Our network of partners includes community-based health care and social services, welcoming Indiana residents of all ages and income levels with fully integrated, streamlined services.
