One of the worst societal trends our country has experienced recently is the decline of active fathers, leading to a nationwide fatherhood crisis that harms thousands of Florida families each year.
The statistics speak for themselves. 90% of homeless and runaway children, 70% of high school dropouts, and 60% of youth who commit suicide did not have a father in the home.
As a father of three young children, this is an issue that is incredibly important to me. I know firsthand that being a father is not a job you clock out of. But at the same time, it has been the most rewarding experience of my life. There is a sense of responsibility and fulfillment that can come only from being active in your children’s lives.
To combat this growing issue, I signed legislation to provide more than $70 million to support fatherhood. This funding will go towards putting programs in place to encourage Florida’s fathers to have an active role in their children’s lives and keep Florida families together.
First Lady Casey DeSantis and I have made a commitment to prioritizing Florida’s parents — that includes both moms and dads.
The future of our state is dependent on the success of our children. It’s my goal to ensure every child in Florida has a father figure playing an active role in their lives.
As the leader of my family, I hope to set an example for fathers across Florida of what is possible when you remain an active and engaged participant in your children’s lives. This legislation is just the beginning.
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