April 14, 2008

SOUTHFIELD - Information and legal advice about paternity, child custody, child support and parenting time will be available at the Dad's Legal Clinic on April 17 at Spectrum Child and Family Services.

The event, held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 23077 Greenfield Road, Suite 400, is one of three statewide meetings to help fathers learn more about their rights and responsibilities as parents. Free pizza and beverages will be served. Free child care also is available.

Organizers say that involved dads improve outcomes for children. One session was held in February in Lansing and another session was held in March in Grand Rapids. The series is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Human Services' Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Initiative, Michigan State University's Chance at Childhood, and community providers of the Proud Fathers-Proud Parents programs.

"Fathers play a critical role in the lives of their children," said Duane Michael Wilson, coordinator of the DHS Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Initiative. "This information can make the difference to a dad who wants to be involved in his child's life but doesn't know how."

For more information about the Southfield Dad's Legal Clinic, please contact Kimberly Steed at (517) 432-8406 or Spectrum Child and Family Services at (248) 552-8020, ext. 280.

For more information about DHS, go to www.michigan.gov/dhs