Parenting Programs
 

 Parents' Access to Community & Employment Services
The Parents' Access to Community & Employment Services Program (PACES) is a referral service provided by the Virginia Beach Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE).  The purpose of the program is to help unemployed non-custodial parents in obtaining employment, thus enabling them to meet their child support obligations. PACES will provide the link between unemployed non-custodial parents and community service providers who will assist them in overcoming their barriers to paying child support.

You are eligible to participate in the PACES program if you:
  • ​Have a child support case assigned to the Virginia Beach district office.
  • Have barriers hindering your ability to pay your child support obligation.

What types of assistance is available?
  • ​Employment services: To equip you with the tools that will help you find and retain employment.
  • Education Services: To help you obtain your GED or vocational training.
  • Re-entry Services: To assist former offenders overcome the unique obstacles faced upon re-entering the community.
  • Financial Planning Services: Helps you to responsibly manage your income and financial obligations.
  • Parenting/Mentoring Program: To help you improve or build a healthy relationship with your child(ren).

​How does the program work?
Once you have been determined eligible to receive services, you will e assigned to the Outreach Coordinator who will:
  • ​Conduct an assessment of your barriers to employment.
  • Connect you with community service providers that will assist you in overcoming your specific barriers.
  • Monitor your appointments, compliance, and progress with the service providers.
  • Monitor your child support payments and answer questions about your child support case.
As a PACES participant, you will be required to:
  • ​Attend all appointments and maintain compliance with the community service providers.
  • Report all changes in residence, employment, and telephone to your child support specialist.
  • Make timely child support payments once employed.

 Fathers In Training
​Fathers in Training (FIT) provides a supportive environment where young fathers can learn to parent their children, become financially responsible and learn about relationships, health and sexuality. The primary purpose is to strengthen families, by focusing services on the father. It is the healthier father that is most likely to create a healthier environment for his family. We have created a safe, but challenging environment for fathers to engage in conversations of the joys and challenges of fatherhood with other fathers. 
  • FIT provides an environment that is conducive to learning and will address some very serious barriers to effective fathering such as domestic violence, anger management, conflict resolution, responsible fathering and working with support systems.
  • FIT has an employment component.
  • FIT has an alumni group for those fathers who have completed the program and wish to continue, or expand their involvement in the community.
  • FIT is geared to the protection of children and family. Domestic viol​ence issues are at the forefront of every group meeting. FIT has zero tolerance for violence in the home.
  • Twenty week (20 sessions) training sessions on Monday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Participants must complete at least 17 out of 20 sessions in order to receive a certificate of Program Completion.
For additional information, contact Brian Hawkins (757) 385-3490. ​
Contact Information