Bringing Back the Dads: Father Engagement – March 10, 2010
Listening time: 16 minutes
Welcome, Overview of Teleconference Series Millicent Williams, MSW, Child Welfare Consultant, National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections, Hunter College School of Social Work
Introductions of Presenters and Opening Remarks Karen Jenkins, Director, Public Child Welfare Initiatives, American Humane
The Status and Importance of Father Involvement: Research Findings Carol Harper, Faculty/Research Manager, University of Washington School of Social Work
Listening time: 11 minutes
Non-Resident Fathers and the Legal System Lisa Pilnik, Staff Attorney, ABA Center on Children and the Law
Listening time: 17 minutes
Father Involvement and Child Welfare: Practice Experiences and Lessons Learned (Texas) Kenneth Thompson, Fatherhood Program Specialist, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services; Tommy Jordan, Fatherhood Programs, NewDay Services for Children and Families
Personal Experience from a Dad Eddie Anguish, Father, Participant in Fatherhood Program at NewDay Services
Listening time: 13 minutes
Father Involvement and Child Welfare: Data, Strategies, and Lessons Learned (Washington State) Jonah Idczak, Father Engagement Project Liaison, Region IV, Children’s Services, State of Washington; Carol Harper, Faculty/Research Manager, University of Washington School of Social Work; Natasha Grossman, Project Manager, Northwest Institute for Children and Families, University of Washington School of Social Work
Listening time: 12 minutes
Father Involvement and Child Welfare: Data, Strategies, and Lessons Learned (Indiana) Tiffany Mitchell, Federal Grants Program Manager, Department of Child Services
Personal Experience from a Dad Kenneth Parrish, Father, Program Participant, Department of Child Services, Indiana
Listening time: 22 minutes
Conclusions and Resources Karen Jenkins, Director, Public Child Welfare Initiatives, American Humane
Advocating for Nonresident Fathers in Child Welfare Court Cases (Book)
Federal and state governments are increasingly focusing on father involvement. There has been little focus, however, on how the legal community can better engage nonresident fathers in child welfare cases. This book, commissioned by the QIC NRF, is devoted to representing this population and is a much needed resource for public defenders’ offices and solo practitioners representing parents. The authors offer practical strategies to lawyers and judges to help them protect father’s constitutional rights; advocate for and engage fathers in and out-of-court; overcome barriers to father participation such as child support, incarceration, immigration status, and criminal history; and address unique ethical issues. This book is available for free download. (2009)
Advocating for Fathers in Child Welfare Court Cases (Curriculum)
Lawyers representing non-resident fathers face a range of complex legal and factual challenges. This curriculum was designed to provide guidance to lawyers on how to navigate issues affecting fathers and their children involved in child welfare proceedings. It is based on a series of articles commissioned by the QIC NRF and that appear in the book “Advocating for Fathers in Child Welfare Court Cases” (see above).
Indiana DCS Presentation (February 2010)
This document outlines work responsibilities, and provides an overview of barriers, strengths, and what works and what doesn’t work in efforts to engage fathers.
