--- title: New Federal Rule Offers Opportunity for Fatherhood Programs description: New federal rule offers fatherhood programs a chance for funding through employment and training services. Learn how to position your program for success. image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_2025-opportunity-for-fatherhood-programs.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/new-federal-rule-offers-opportunity-for-fatherhood-programs#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [Fundraising](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/fundraising) # New Federal Rule Offers Opportunity for Fatherhood Programs 2 min read ![Christopher A. Brown](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/chris_circle_icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=chris_circle_icon.png) [** Christopher A. Brown ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/christopher-a-brown) Chris serves as the President of National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), where he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of NFI's strategic plan and business model, as well as its operations and fundraising efforts. ![NFI_Blog_2025-opportunity-for-fatherhood-programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_2025-opportunity-for-fatherhood-programs.jpg?width=814&height=465&name=NFI_Blog_2025-opportunity-for-fatherhood-programs.jpg) Proactively identifying creative ways to fund your fatherhood program using private and public sources is vital for program sustainability. A new rule [announced recently](https://public3.pagefreezer.com/browse/HHS.gov/02-01-2025T05:49/https:/www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/12/13/hhs-makes-easier-states-support-employment-training-services-help-noncustodial-parents-financially-support-children.html) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) might offer an opportunity to position your program for public funding. As of January 13, 2025, states can more easily support providing employment and training services to help noncustodial parents financially support their children. Given that the [vast majority](https://www.aecf.org/blog/child-support-statistics) of these parents are dads, this rule could positively impact fatherhood programs in states that take advantage of the rule. As [the rule](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/13/2024-29081/employment-and-training-services-for-noncustodial-parents-in-the-child-support-program) states, the federal Office of Child Support Services at DHHS: “…anticipates that many State child support agencies will purchase employment and training services by entering into contracts with public, private and community-based employment, *fatherhood* [emphasis added], and reentry programs, community action agencies, community colleges, or other service providers, rather than offer these services in-house, in accordance with 45 CFR 304.22, Federal financial participation in purchased support enforcement services. However, this does not preclude a child support agency from providing employment and training services to noncustodial parents directly.” The rule lists the eligible services, emphasizes that noncustodial parents receiving the same services elsewhere aren't eligible, and allows case management as a means of service provision. As with many new federal rules, it can take a while for complete implementation, especially when a rule involves actions states must or may take in leveraging it. You can take advantage of this time and position your fatherhood program for potential funding by taking these steps: 1. Thoroughly reviewing the [new rule](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/13/2024-29081/employment-and-training-services-for-noncustodial-parents-in-the-child-support-program) to ensure you understand it generally and the eligible services specifically. 2. Contacting your state’s child support agency to determine whether they know about the rule and, if so, will take advantage of it and contract to offer the associated services. 3. If your state’s agency will take advantage of it and contract for services, identify the eligible services your program will provide in-house or through a new or existing partnership(s). 4. Decide whether to apply for funding or partner with another organization that will apply and subcontract with your program. 5. Create a plan to apply for funding that’s ready to go when your state’s agency is ready to contract! If you’re looking for other creative ways to fund your fatherhood program, download [*Fundraising Tips for Father-Inclusive Efforts*](https://www.fatherhood.org/fundraising-guide), our new free guide on funding from foundations and individual donors. It includes three examples of creative ways our partners fund their programs! Do you proactively search to identify public and private funding sources for your fatherhood program? Are you interested in more in-depth fundraising training? If so, fundraising is one of the components in our popular Father Engagement Certificate™ training. Learn more [here](https://www.fatherhoodpractitioners.org/courses/father-engagement-certificate). Date Published: 02/11/2025 Last Updated: 02/11/2025 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! [Get The Guide Now!](https://www.fatherhood.org/starting-a-fatherhood-program) ![7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png?width=700&height=700&name=7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png) [ Previous ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/oklahoma-dads-gaining-hope-and-belief-from-24-7-dad) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/6-ways-to-make-your-organizations-physical-space-more-father-inclusive) ## Related Articles ### [Funding A Father-Inclusive Effort For Non-Governmental Organizations Image created with GPT Image 2. Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) struggle to identify funding sources for fatherhood initiatives and programs. After all, beyond the ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/funding-a-father-inclusive-effort-for-non-governmental-organizations) ### [The Fatherhood Funding You’re Looking For Is Already There—You’re Just Not Seeing It Yet Image created with GPT Image 2. If you work in a nonprofit, you’ve probably had some version of this conversation: “We know father engagement matters, we just don’t have the ... 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