Juan Buitron, a Denton resident, said that four years ago he got drunk in front of his 3-year-old son. He said the drinking led to a child endangerment incident and that child protective services became involved. He was then required to enroll in FOCUS+ for Fathers, a 10-week program meant to help dads be a more positive influence in their children's lives. Buitron said he was not engaged at first, but his view changed over the 10 weeks. "I grew up without a father, so I have to try to better myself and be there for my kids," he said.
FOCUS+ was created in 2002 by NewDay Services for Children & Families, a Fort Worth-based nonprofit. The program first served Tarrant County fathers who were behind on child support. It later expanded to fathers involved with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The nonprofit reported serving about 100 fathers in 2004. As of 2024, the program was available in 64 Texas counties. A similar program for mothers began in 2013, and the FOCUS+ programs now serve 1,900 parents a year.
Bob Robinson, the nonprofit's president and CEO, said the program has a high success rate. "We see the change, CPS sees the change, the judge sees the change, and that's why our parents have a better chance of getting their kids home," he said. The story also says the Rev. Randy Thomas, a volunteer chaplain at Tarrant County family court, started NewDay Services as a divorce counseling center in May 1997.