Daytona Beach, FL (February 4, 2025) – Today the Florida Non-Profit BAYS announced that it has been named as the organization selected to provide Fatherhood Initiative Services by the Community Partnership for Children. BAYS is best known for its expertise in providing interventions to youth and families that have become involved in the juvenile delinquency and/or child welfare system but would be best served within the community. The services offered by BAYS are designed to reduce involvement with more formal state processes and empower participants to change without extended exposure to more institutional proceedings.

The Community Partnership for Children recently released a Request for Proposals seeking responses from agencies that could implement services aimed at educational programs, mentorship programs, and one-on-one support to encourage responsible and involved fatherhood within their service area. The program is part of the Father First initiative launched by the State of Florida as part of legislation signed into law in 2022 that was designed to support families and build resiliency for fathers to increase involvement and strengthen the role that they play in their children’s lives.

"I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity.” said Robert Patterson, the President and CEO of BAYS. “I am honored that the Community Partnership for Children has chosen our proposal and will give us an opportunity to increase opportunities for success by working with fathers to help them increase their skills to be a committed and loving part of their child’s life.”

BAYS anticipates that implementation of the new programming will begin on March 1st.