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Journal Article This study documents the opinions of twenty low-income fathers about their participation in a Responsible Fatherhood program in a large urban area. The program offered life skills training, job readiness and placement assistance, mental health counseling and other services to help fathers become involved in their children's lives and to comply with child support orders. Formal services were provided for six months, with opportunities for follow-up maintenance groups. The fathers who participated in the study were at various levels in the program, from entry to ongoing support. Four focus…
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Journal Article This journal issue focuses on fatherhood and addressing the needs of fathers in social work practice. It begins by discussing the dangers facing fatherhood in the United States, and identifying fathers whose parenting roles could be at-risk. The need for a special approach to reach fathers is emphasized, and a holistic approach is described that that builds on fathers' strengths, is culturally sensitive, considers many system levels of intervention, and promotes a broad base of support for fatherhood. Social movements supporting fatherhood are summarized, and pertinent fatherhood literature…
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Journal Article The exploration of ideas and mechanisms for assisting men in their paternal responsibilities encompasses a wide range of possibilities. Demonstration research projects, grassroots educational programs, and community-led initiatives all have a role in shaping fathers' lives and activities. The development of state and federal-level policy approaches to strengthen fatherhood is an important trend among these efforts. This paper provides a brief conceptual and histortical perspective on public policy initiatives related to fatherhood, reviews the status of current federal and state policy…
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Journal Article To successfully engage fathers, workers need training to dispel many of the myths related to "absent fathers" believed by not only case managers but society as a whole. It is our job to create a safe environment for the children as well as the parents. Case managers need adequate training that will give them the skills to build respect and trust between the child welfare system and fathers. Agency staff--from directors to case aides--need to increase the focus on the importance of improving the father-child relationship and the benefits to the child. To better meet the needs of children in…
Low-income fathers share many of the same characteristics as women on welfare--low literacy, poor employment history and low-wage employment. This fact sheet proposes ways in which policymakers can build services to help fathers. Suggestions include (but are not limited to): Develop networks of local providers to provide men with employment assistance; use state institutions to refer low-income fathers to local service providers; identify "nontraditional partners" like voluntarypaternity establishment programs, HealthyStart and Head Start--to connect fathers withneeded services; connect with…
Federal policies are promoting father involvement in families to improve developmental, academic, and economic outcomes for children. This information packet provides an overview of issues related to fatherhood initiatives for providers and consumers of social services. It includes a fact sheet of statistics about effects of fatherlessness, a summary of policies and legislation, and lists of references and web resources. The innovative Georgia Fatherhood Program also is profiled.
