NFPN's Position Paper on Fatherhood in the Child Welfare System was commissioned by the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice. The paper explores the research on fatherhood in the child welfare system, the impact of ASFA on fatherhood, best practices, and recommendations as to how the child welfare system can join the fatherhood movement. The paper concludes that there are currently no models, training curricula, training protocols, or technical assistance for engaging and involving fathers in their children's lives in the child welfare system. (Author abstract)
The ACF West-Central Hub Family Stabilization Workshop, held September 26 and 27, 2001, in Denver, had three primary themes: Responsible Fatherhood, Faith-based and Community Initiatives, and Marriage and Family Stabilization. This report summarizes the key findings of the workshop. (Author abstract)
This paper explores the participation of fathers in child protection services in the United Kingdom. It discusses statistics on the demographics of fathers in the United Kingdom, findings from a study on child rearing and child abuse, and the lack of information on fathers in families where there are child protection concerns. Reasons why fathers are not engaged with child protection work are explored, and statistics on men as perpetrators are provided. The characteristics of non-resident fathers are also examined. The paper closes by emphasizing the need for change in the approach to fathers…
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Journal Article The author aims to help make low-income, unmarried, and minority fathers more visible by reviewing the emerging literature base on this population and addressing important conceptual, methodological, and policy issues. Recent evidence is reviewed concerning patterns of fatherhood, factors that support or prohibit fathers' active involvement with their children, and the impact of paternal involvement on children's development. To move the field forward, advances are needed in methodology (increased use of father reports, multiple methods, and longitudinal studies), measurement (greater…
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This paper analyzes legislative proposals that address marriage, and the potential impact on current fatherhood programs serving low-income families. The initiation of fatherhood programs following the passage of the Personal Responsibility Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act in 1996 is reviewed and current legislative proposals are described, including: the Child Support Distribution Act of 2001 and the Fathers Count Act of 1999, which combine child support reform measures with fatherhood provisions; the Strengthening Working Families Act, which contains child support distribution…
Since it was first published several years ago, The Expectant Father has become the indisputable leader in its field. It is an information-packed, month-by-month guide to all the emotional, financial, and yes, even physical changes the father-to-be may experience during the course of his partner's pregnancy. Incorporating the wisdom of top experts in the field, from obstetricians and birth-class instructors to psychologists and sociologists, The Expectant Father is filled with sound advice and practical tips for men, including how to afford a pregnancy; how to juggle work and family roles;…
All new dads want to bond with their babies -- but how? With seventy-two safe, simple exercises, each illustrated with a fun photograph, Rookie Dad helps busy fathers make a real connection with their little ones -- and have a ball doing it!* "Shake Hands with Dad" promotes motor coordination * "Eyes on the Ball" boosts eye-tracking skills* "Flashlight Tag" is fun at lights-out time * "Crunch Time" helps baby learn balance while tightening Daddy's abs * "Box Score" is a fantastic tool for bedtime, helping babies enjoy snug spaces These and other age-appropriate activities, designed for the…
Fathers Are Forever is a must read for all divorced dads who want to remain involved parents. The saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure applies here. Reading Fathers Are Forever means kids keep their fathers. Every father needs to read this book.Fathers Are Forever is a handy, how-to book which draws on actual experiences of men and women seeking to create and sustain co-parenting relationships. The book walks parents through the divorce process from beginning to end. It moves Mom and Dad from adversaries to co-operative parents in spite of the fact that they live in…
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Journal Article About 2.5 million nonresident fathers are poor and do not pay child support. According to the National Survey of America's Families, most noncustodial fathers face the same multiple employment barriers as poor custodial mothers, but are significantly less likely than those mothers to participate in work-support programs such as training, education, job search activities, or income security programs. Before 1996, the government offered an array of financial assistance, housing, and employment training for single mothers. However, nonresident fathers qualified only for food stamps and were not…
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Training Materials Current child welfare programs are targeted toward the mother and child and do not place priority on services to support father-child relationships. This curriculum was developed by the National Family Preservation Network to instruct child welfare policymakers and practitioners in the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. The goals of the training program are to promote father-friendly policies that strengthen families and provide additional resources for child placement, when necessary. Administrators will learn to evaluate agency policies and modify those that prevent…
