Yvonne M. Conwell, Democrat

1.     I have a close-up relationship with Fatherhood issues. My husband was voted National Father of the Year in 2001 from the National Fatherhood Initiative. I stood by my husband who organized and wrote a proposal for a Fatherhood Initiative for the Center for Families and Children where he was employed at the time of receiving his award. I learned firsthand the needs of the fathers in my community. My husband also is a member of the State of Ohio Fatherhood Commission. It was a shock to learn that so many fathers were estranged from their children. I was blessed with a husband who took his role in fatherhood responsibly. Professionally my experience wasn't directly related to men who were fathers.

2.     The specific needs of fathers today is to engage fathers and connect them with organizations that will raise awareness about the important roles fathers play in the life of their children. Fathers need employment opportunities so they can provide financially for their families, educating fathers about the important roles they play in the lives of their children , and equipping fathers with skill building resources so they can be a better father. Fathers should be more involved in their children's education. The Cleveland public schools should sponsor a breakfast for the fathers with their sons and daughters so the fathers can become more engaged in their child's education. When fathers are engaged in helping their children with reading and writing the child will become better with their reasoning skills.

The Cuyahoga County government already has a county-wide fatherhood initiative in place. I feel this is an important service and needs to remain a priority with the Cuyahoga County government.

3.     You can't teach a vision without teaching the father's the principles of fatherhood. The fatherhood movement must teach the principles first then have a vision. The principles of fatherhood would teach the man the importance of being a good Dad and it will make fatherhood habit forming. The principles of fatherhood will give the fathers the knowledge, skills, and desire (passion) to become a good Dad. The principles of fatherhood will then live on forever. Once the father learns the principles of fatherhood then he would have self mastery and want to provide for their families not only with a job but with mind, body, and spirit.

Once principles are learned, society needs to provide (1) Educational resources for fathers that are lacking in educational skills, (2) Provide training and literacy programs, (3) For the fathers that have been incarcerated , the law needs to change and clear past records in order to allow fathers who have served their time and not committed a heinous crime against someone to have a chance at employment.

The most important thing in the fatherhood movement is that we must educate fathers that they must be involved in their children's live before we get them employment. For example, if we help a father get a job it does not mean that he will provide for his children financially.

We must also teach fathers that the best thing that a father can do for his children is to respect his children mother.

4.     I believe health and human services funding should be distributed by Cuyahoga County District(as a whole). Some fathers in Cuyahoga County need help with fatherhood issues, different services , or programs the needs vary with each individual. You can't choose which child should benefit with help from a better relationship with their father. The mission focuses on the children and they are  the primary focus, so you shouldn't disperse the health and human services funding based on need. I believe ,in order, to change the needs you have to change the behavior of the people.