Originally posted at CSAC.

In light of AB 109′s second birthday, CSAC is continuing with its series on how counties across California have implemented the hallmark legislation. Some have done so in entirely unique and innovative ways.

In Merced County, the Health and Human Services Agency already had a program called “All Dad’s Matter” that sought to help fathers learn basic parenting skills and open lines of communication between fathers and their kids. Under Public Safety Realignment, the county applied this concept more directly to fathers who were also AB 109 offenders. The resulting program — Leadership for Life — confirms that establishing and enhancing a father’s bond with his children can be a powerful motivator for positive changes.