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WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students)
$914,000 (3 comments ↓)
Sen. Sam Brownback (KS) requests $914,000 for:
National Center for Fathering
Shawnee Mission, KS
This earmark is in the following appropriations bill(s):
Summary
Purpose of Funding: To expand the scope and reach of a program that gets fathers and father figures into their child's school.
Explanation: The nonprofit National Center for Fathering requests federal funding to support the rapid nationwide expansion of its WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) program. WATCH D.O.G.S. is a safe schools initiative that involves fathers and father figures to help create a more safe and secure learning environment in our nation's schools. The program recruits fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures to serve at least one day each year as an unobtrusive security presence and as adult male roles models in their child's school. As of February 2009, there were 1,047 schools with active WATCH D.O.G.S. programs and the number of programs has increased each year for the past five years. This federal grant request seeks support for the development of organizational capacity including technology and equipment upgrades and staffing to add an additional 1,000 participating schools during each of the next two years. These additional schools will result in 130,000 incremental volunteer days affecting 600,000 school children during the two-year period.
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[28 views]
Visitor Comments 
Don't Waste Tax $$
August 2, 2009, 3:08pm (report abuse)The ministry of fathering is a great cause. But the greatness of the cause is not a reason for the govt to fund it. Great causes find champions to donate and back the cause. 1,000 programs sounds good, but how many fathers are actually participating per school? What are the details behind those numbers? What are the demographics of the 1,000 schools? If 65-80% of students in urban/inner city schools are in a single parent home with mom, they won't be able to generate the consistent father participation required to maintain the program in the school as demonstrated previously with male involvement programs in schools. Allow this great concept to earn their funding through success. Again, if they are considered successful already, then there should be plenty of donors/sponsors to support their success.
Don't Waste Tax $$
August 2, 2009, 3:13pm (report abuse)How have they grown to 1,000 programs thus far? What funding has gotten them this far? Why can't they maintain the same funding to support growth to another 1,000 schools. They seem to have done it already without our tax $$.
You've GOT to be Kidding
August 4, 2009, 10:34am (report abuse)As a Kansas dad who has been in the WatchDOGS program, count me out! I've been on the receiving end of their lack of customer service, their delayed shipments and complete lack of support. It is crystal clear to us that NCF only wanted us for our money. We have NOT renewed our program and do not plan to.
It seems plain to me that this is yet another company seeking a government bailout because they don't know how to manage their business. They are losing customers because of poor customer service and expect our government to bail them out.
Our school budgets have already been cut enough and many of us have lost our SROs. If you really want to spend $1 Million to help our schools, find a program that works for all schools in all areas not just schools that can support dads.
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