This brief offers practical tools to agency attorneys on their role in better engaging fathers in child welfare court cases. It includes guidance on: Identifying and locating fathers; Resolving paternity issues; Assessing whether the father can be a placement or other support to the child; Establishing agency policies that promote father engagement.
In the last 50 years, fathers have become much more involved in the day-to-day lives of the children they live with. The role of fathers in the modern American family is changing in important and countervailing ways. Fathers who live with their children have become more intensely involved in their lives, spending more time with them and taking part in a greater variety of activities. However, the share of fathers who are residing with their children has fallen significantly in the past half century. with the share of fathers living apart from their children rising dramatically, to 27% in 2010…
There are not many guys in the world who can actually say they knew how to be a father before it happened. This guide tells you what new dads have figured out--and wished they had known in the beginning--about this mysterious business called "being a father." It includes prenatal information as well as information on preparing for the baby's arrival, helping the mother and how to care for the baby, bonding and attachment, and legal and financial issues. (Author abstract modified)
Early childhood is a critical time for the healthy development of children. Between the ages of 2 and 7, the human brain grows to 70-90% of its adult size. The quality of nurtur-ing and education which occurs during this early childhood period significantly impacts not only a child's individual capacities, but the child's ability to ultimately contribute to a healthy community. In this publication, we take a look at families who have been engaged with some form of early childhood education or service in Minnesota. We cast a broad net here including organized programs such as Early Childhood…
This guide has basic information about paternity, custody,child support, and parenting time for unmarried fathers in Minnesota. Every state has different laws on family law. This guide is for Minnesota only. (Author abstract modified)
This framework is a road map for progress in achieving the kinds of outcomes that lead to positive and enduring change for children and families. It is a research-based approach to program change that shows how an agency can work together as a whole--across systems and service areas--to promote parent and family engagement and children's learning development. (Author abstract)
This paper addresses the perspectives of parents and program staff in the sharing of child assessment information through the formation of partnerships and suggests strategies for bringing those perspectives together. It outlines a framework for building partnerships between program staff and parents that establish ongoing communication, enhance teacher-child and parent child relationships, and help prepare children and families for transitions to later schooling. This will assure that 1) families have access to information about their children, 2) the information is understandable and…
This report presents the results of the second phase of the Boston College Center for Work & Family's research on fatherhood, a survey completed by nearly 1000 fathers who are "white collar workers" in large corporations. In this follow-up study the researchers set out to gather a more complete picture from a much larger number and range of fathers, not just new dads, but also those who are still experiencing active caregiving with children at home upto age 18. Most of these men are living with working wives/partners. This report presents a portrait of fathers who strive for professional…
This brief discusses the importance of a healthy father-child relationship and the benefits of father involvement in child welfare cases. It cites research findings that indicate nonresident fathers' involvement with their children is associated with a higher likelihood of a reunification outcome and a lower likelihood of an adoption outcome, children with highly involved nonresident fathers are discharged from foster care more quickly than those with less or no involvement, and among children whose case outcome is reunification, usually with their mothers, higher levels of nonresident father…
