Skip to main content

The
Commission

Why The Commonwealth Citizens Council?

Citizenship in a democracy requires participation, civility, and even patience. Democratic citizens recognize that they not only have rights, they have responsibilities. They recognize that democracy requires an investment of time and hard work — a government of the people demands constant vigilance and support by the people. In this regard, the Commonwealth Citizens Council (CCC) was created with the primary purpose of monitoring the implementation of Pennsylvania ACT 114 of 2022. The CCC represents a network of Pennsylvania citizens in partnership with their state legislative leaders, keeping track of Pennsylvania’s commitment to ending institutional barriers that may impede fathers in fostering supportive connections with their children; establishing support mechanisms to enhance the ability of fathers to assume a beneficial parenting role; and assisting men to prepare for the legal, financial and emotional responsibilities of fatherhood, and much more. In short, democratic citizens know that they must bear the burden of responsibility for their society if they are to benefit from its protection of their rights, as well as their family members rights

Goals of CCC

Highlighting the primary goals of the CCC, focusing on improving both maternal and paternal involvement in children’s lives. 

  • To alert the Governor of Pennsylvania, Members of the General Assembly, and Justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that Citizens across the Commonwealth are coming together to address the urgent need for greater father-family involvement in the life of children, caregivers of children, and communities that house our children.
  • Advocate for Pennsylvania’s first Statewide Regional Network of Fatherhood Collaborative service providers to address the unmet growing needs of men within families, across the Commonwealth. Thus, helping to close the gap identified in 2017 when the Strong Families Commission and the Symposium Organizing Committee first launched its Mission Statement of “Bringing to light something that has been in the dark, for far too long, that is the absence or non-involvement of too many fathers in the care of their children and families, and shine a spotlight on the resulting consequences.”
  • Appeal to the Governor and General Assembly to establish a State-wide Office to promote greater father involvement in the life of children, families, and communities, with regional service centers devoted to men: many of whom may be fathers and want to become better parents and significant contributors to their family’s economic health and well-being. The goal of the Office and its Regional Service Centers would be to meet the common challenges faced by all fathers and families throughout the Commonwealth, notwithstanding family heritage, race, ethnicity, income, education, health status, geographic location, and/or lifestyle.

Collaborative Efforts Goals of CCC

Showcase how CCC works with local, state, and national leaders to eliminate systemic barriers to father involvement.

The public policy of the Commonwealth is to end institutional barriers that may impede fathers in fostering supportive connections with their children, establish support mechanisms to enhance the ability of fathers to assume a beneficial parenting role and assist men in preparing for the legal, financial and emotional responsibilities of fatherhood.

In that regard, the CCC will establish advisory committees that will have expertise in the following three areas:

  • Legislative Committee promoting greater fatherhood involvement
  • Executive Committee on Commonwealth Family Program Services
  • Judiciary Committee on the Administration of Justice/Public Safety