It's late on a Tuesday afternoon and well over a dozen people have crammed into Magistrate Sue Cairl's courtroom in Lucas County Juvenile Court.

She explains to the five young men on the right side of the room that they are facing serious consequences for nonsupport of their children -- consequences that could include time in jail.

Collectively, the men here and several others waiting outside owe about $34,000 in back support.

The young fathers in court this day can choose to quickly pony up a large sum of cash, get sent to jail (and still owe the money after they get out), or be part of a pilot program targeting men ages 18 to 24 who aren't supporting their children financially.

The Young Fathers Early Intervention Program is a partnership between several county agencies, such as the juvenile court, Lucas County Job and Family Services, and the county's Child Support Enforcement Agency.

It aims for a more collaborative, rather than strictly punitive, approach to get noncustodial parents to pay support for their children, said Deb Ortiz-Flores, executive director of the county's Job and Family Services agency and also the new leader of the child-support agency.

About 1,800 fathers between the ages of 18 and 24 are in the child-support system in Lucas County, and about 600 are actively contributing support.

In total, $350 million is owed in arrears by noncustodial parents to their children in Lucas County, according to Ms. Ortiz-Flores. The total in arrears owed in the county by 18-24-year old fathers is approximately $4.3 million, she said.

The program is being funded by $300,000 from Job and Family Services, which is working with the Zepf Center and Center of Hope Family Services.

But the project isn't a "get out of jail free card," the magistrate emphasizes. If they decide to go forward with the program, the men will have to work with agencies to help them find employment and learn skills that will help them with parenting.

They will need to appear in court to ensure they are complying with the program. If they aren't, they can still be jailed.

"We're still going to hold them accountable," she said.

"This isn't going to be six months of doing nothing. They will have to work hard to avoid … going to jail."

Despite the bigger time commitment, one of the fathers hoping to take advantage of the program is Markest Barry, Sr.

He is 24 and owes more than $1,000 in support for his 2-year-old son.

He said he is eager to take advantage of any job-skills training the program offers.

"It's not that easy to just get up and get a job," he said. Mr. Barry is studying to become a barber.

Many of the men who are eligible for the program have serious problems that have kept them from finding jobs: some lack a high school diploma, have poor reading and math skills, have a record of legal problems or incarcerations, lack easy access to transportation, or lack understanding about how to be a part of the work force, said Craig Gebers, of the nonprofit group NetWORK, which will work with the men in the program to help them get jobs.

In addition to job-search assistance, the program will aim to educate dads on nurturing, teaching, and disciplining their children, said Tracee Perryman, executive director of Center of Hope Family Services.

"There are skills you can learn that can help the process of parenting be a little easier," Ms. Perryman said.

The program also aims to teach the men how to have healthy relationships with the mothers of their children.

Those in the program must pay all amounts in arrears and current support unless there is some other court-approved agreement has been reached, Ms. Ortiz-Flores said.

County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak said the program "will help fathers be a father and provide for their child. Just punishing [them] hasn't been working."

Magistrate Cairl sternly tells the young men in her courtroom to be back in two weeks. She's optimistic about the program.

"It's an innovative approach to engage young fathers, with the goal of enabling them to be financially responsible for their children," she said.

Contact Kate Giammarise at: kgiammarise@theblade.com or 419-724-6091.

First Published February 6, 2012, 5:15 a.m.