Franklin accepts fatherhood grant; city staff say no local match required

FRANKLIN, Va. — The Franklin City Council on July 22 approved a budget amendment enabling a fatherhood engagement grant administered through the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Sarah, speaking for local social-services staff, told the council the grant requires no local match and uses state and federal funds. "This is a grant through the Virginia Department of Social Services...it does not require any type of a local match," she said.

Staff said early programming will include free pool passes for fathers or father-figures — up to five people per registration and roughly 70–75 passes available, a $70 value — and planned events such as a chaperoned field trip requiring a charter bus. The grant also includes limited "concrete services" to help individuals regain or retain custody, such as transportation assistance or household items necessary for a safe home.

When asked whether grant funds could be used to help fathers who owe child support, Sarah said: "No. We did not write the grant for that." Council members asked logistical questions about outreach; Sarah said the program is open to any Franklin resident and signups will be coordinated through Parks and Recreation and social-services outreach and social media.

The council approved the budget amendment by voice vote during the financial matters portion of the meeting.

What’s next: staff will coordinate signups with Parks and Recreation and implement the program elements described in the grant application. Grant reporting requirements to the Virginia Department of Social Services were referenced but not detailed in the meeting record.

Source: Franklin City Council meeting transcript, July 22, 2024.