This paper discusses the importance of father involvement in the lives of children, describes the increased focus on creating programs to promote father involvement, and highlights Wisconsin's noncustodial parent (NCP) policies and services as the State moves into the next phase of welfare reform. The first half of the paper describes the current landscape of NCP reform, including the barriers to meeting NCPs' needs effectively and the perspectives of those affected by the State's NCP policies. The second half of the paper presents challenges facing the State and opportunities for Wisconsin…
This volume reports on a study that explored the meaning and significance of the paternal role to jailed fathers and how the experience of going to jail affects that role. Characteristics of pre-incarceration relationships of jailed fathers in their families were also studied, as well as the nature and significance of contact with family during incarceration, the impact of pre-incarceration relationships of jailed fathers on the stress of incarceration, and the plans and expectations of jailed fathers regarding their paternal role following release. The study was conducted in two phases and…
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Journal Article Findings from a study of casework outreach to birthparents of children in out-of-home care are presented. The study explored whether the birthfather was being ignored as a resource for discharge planning. It examined the outreach and interventions of caseworkers in three New York City out-of-home care agencies. Casework activity levels were found to be higher for birthmothers than for birthfathers, and a complex relationship among the variables of gender, outreach, and response was revealed. The nature and value of more specific outreach toward birthfathers of children in care, and the risk…
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Journal Article Research on child development has increasingly emphasized the complexity of developmental processes, and this reconceptualization is reflected in recent research on the effects of child maltreatment as well. The author illustrates the value of studying maltreatment in the context of children's relationships, not only with their biological mothers, but with biological fathers and father figures as well. Ambiguities remain, however, suggesting that more must be discovered about the quality and longevity of the relationships between these men and both their partners and surrogate children to…
Fathers play an important role in child development, whether or not they reside with their children. However, an increasing number of children from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds are growing up without a father in the home. The authors describe strategies that mental health and social work professionals can use to support the participation of noncustodial fathers in the lives of their children. Specific considerations for divorced fathers, nonresidential fathers who never married their children's mother, and teen fathers are highlighted. The text describes the emotional experiences…
The incarceration of a father can have a significant impact on the emotional development of his children, with many children experiencing dissociation, anxiety, loss, and anger. Factors that influence the child's response include the circumstances of the father's arrest, how the child hears about the arrest, and the mother's level of distress. This book describes the effects of imprisonment on fathers, their children, and the mothers of their children and explains how social workers can support family relationships in this difficult situation. The role of family relationships in the…
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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…
This book offers chapters by different authors discussing their experiences with group therapy and interventions encouraging fathers to play a greater role in their children's lives and practice other positive family behaviors. Small groups have the greatest potential to affect such changes for a number of reasons, the editors write, possibly because most social behavior occurs in small groups. Such groups are more effective in enhancing learning and create positive interdependence among members, especially in faith-based interventions. The editors also recognize the importance of the…
In recent years a number of programs have been initiated to provide incarcerated fathers with education and training in parenting skills. This chapter reviews research, theory and the evolving practice of such programs, including experiences of 125 inmates who have participated in parenting classes while in prison. The psychosocial and social needs of incarcerated fathers; recruitment and barriers; program goals; evaluation strategies; and a summary of core information to guide program development are presented. Common characteristics of imprisoned fathers and various prison parenting…
This examination of Judeo-Christian faith-based initiatives promoting responsible fatherhood explores the basic values and assumptions of such interventions and the characteristics of several successful programs. A number of barriers and challenges exist to faith-based fatherhood programs focused on improving the father-child-family relationship. The basic assumption of such programs is that to be a good father a man must become a man of God, the authors explain, and scriptures provide many examples and moral lessons about the behavior and character of a good father. Evangelical Protestant…
