Research has shown that when both parents are actively and positively involved in their children’s lives, the children are more likely to lead healthy and productive lives. This Father’s Day we would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the complementary and supportive roles fathers and mothers play in the lives of their children. We know that families come in all shapes and sizes: intact families, mothers serving as primary caregivers, fathers serving as primary caregivers. Whatever the situation, parenting is a team effort; and whatever their contribution—teacher, role model, economic provider, caregiver, advocate, protector, or disciplinarian—the involvement of both parents has so many positive outcomes.
For unwed fathers, the first step in developing that parental bond is acknowledging paternity. Children with legal links to their fathers are more likely to know their full medical histories; have increased access to parental and financial resources; experience better outcomes; and, more importantly, form a bond with both parents. With this support, a child is more likely to develop a positive self-image that helps him or her become a productive, healthy adult. Further, children who have the involvement of both parents in their lives are less likely to use drugs, more likely to graduate from high school, and are less likely to become involved in criminal activities and end up incarcerated.
Establishing paternity is a simple process at the time of birth, but it can also be accomplished at a later time through a private means or through your local child support program. We encourage unwed fathers to fully understand their rights and responsibilities before acknowledging paternity, but it’s important to know that fathers who do not establish paternity have no legal rights to their child. We are confident that the fathers choosing to establish paternity will reap rewards beyond their greatest expectations as they develop loving relationships with their child.
At the Kentucky Paternity Acknowledgement Program, we are proud to help unmarried fathers across the State establish paternity. We inform parents, healthcare providers, staff in birthing facilities and local registrar offices, and the general public about the benefits of establishing paternity. If you have any questions about establishing paternity, please call 1-888-675-7425.
To all of the fathers who embrace and support their children, happy Father’s Day and thank you for being there for your children.
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The importance of acknowledging fatherhood
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‘I Won’t Be the One’ starts tonight
Starting tonight at the Rowan County Senior High School boy/girl basketball double header, Rowan UNITE and its partners Rowan County Champions, Rowan County Schools Family Resource and Youth Service Centers and the Pathways Regional Prevention Center will be kicking off the “I Won’t Be the One” Campaign.
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Help your child succeed @ YOUR Rowan County Public Library
What is the most important trait you would like to develop in your child? If you are like most parents, intelligence is probably at the top of your list. We all want bright, smart children.
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Youth drinking in Rowan County
What does youth drinking look like in Rowan County? Information about youth alcohol consumption is collected from sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders every two years in the Kentucky Incentives for Prevention Youth, or KIP, Survey. This last data available is from 2010.
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NEW YA materials @ YOUR Rowan County Public Library
The Teen Area of YOUR Rowan County Public Library is full of new titles for young adults. Stop in and take a look at the titles just waiting to be checked out.
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The café is open! @ YOUR Rowan County Public Library
We’ve been waiting . . . and waiting . . . and we don’t have to wait any longer. The Library Café is open!
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Now is the time! Anti-drug summit set
Rowan UNITE has begun planning our 3rd annual Community Anti-Drug Summit. Mark your calendars for the summit to be held on Thursday, June 14. To help us prepare for speaker list for the summit, Rowan UNITE needs to know what you want or need to hear about substance abuse.
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Seize the opportunity: Time to get to work
The holidays are over, and we are all returning to work . . . serious work – not just the marking of time until the office or store closes for the holidays. So it is time to get to work!
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Get ready for another bumpy ride
Ready or not, they’re coming back to town. At noon Tuesday, lawmakers will convene a General Assembly confronting major problems and which may prove very contentious. Their plates will be full in a budget session with little money in an election year.
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Just say no to New Year’s resolutions
We all have heard the saying “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” The time for “doing nothing” has passed. Without action by good people, Rowan County will continue to face drug problems.
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Help with those resolutions @ YOUR Rowan County Public Library
A brand new year is almost here—an opportunity for us to make choices to be better and to do better than we did during 2011. So, many of us will make New Year’s resolutions, and, although we do so with the best of intentions, we could use a little help.
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‘I Won’t Be the One’ starts tonight
