Fathers’ Engagement

Fatherhood InitiativeMr. Thompson512-438-4560

• a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change = crisis

CRISIS

3

97 percent of Americans believe that “fathers are just as important as mothers for the proper development of children.”

Father Fact

The United States is the World leader in fatherless families.

Source: National Fatherhood Initiative, 2005

The Psychological Framework Model

Dr. Clarence BibbyNew Thinking Innovations 4

Purpose

Thoughts

Emotions

Behavior &

Actions

Beliefs &

Values

• Infant with absent fathers were more likely to be born with lower birth weights, to be preterm and small gestational age.

• Regardless of race or ethnicity, the neonatal death rate of father-absent infants was nearly four times that of their counterparts with involved fathers.

Source “University of South Florida Health

Father Facts

6

They often

Operate from a deficit

Mental Health Issues

Many of Fathers

Brain MatterLay The Track – Turn On/Off The Switches

7

8

• His role is to provide a (Cover) safe place for his children to grow

• Self Appreciation • Self Respect• Character Building• The Value of Community –

Legacy • Ownership – Accountability –

Trust • How To Respond To Life

Challenges • Life – Death• Peer Pressure

Establish a Root System

HIS VALUE

9

PREVENTFathers need to understand the importance of father involvement and the negative consequences children experience though father-loss and inadequate fathering.

PREPAREFathers must have the knowledge, skills, and financial resources available to adequately care for their children.

ESTABLISHFathers may need guidance through the process of establishing paternity.

INVOLVEThe Child Welfare Professional can facilitate the engagement process by setting the stage for fathers to effectively connect with their children.

Source; University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

Effective Father Programs

10

A father has the capacity to change the trajectory of his children’s view of the

world.

11

• 69% explain the benefits of father participation to mothers.

• 58% ask mothers how they would like their child’s father to be involved.

• 51% explain the benefits of father participation to fathers.

What strategies are home visitors using to engage fathers?

When he is here he wants to ask questions and learn and [our visitor] is excellent at giving good answers.– Mother, Dallas

Fath

er P

artic

ipati

on in

Hom

e Vi

sitin

g Pr

ogra

ms

Sept

embe

r 10,

201

4

Source: Mothers’ Survey on Father Participation in Home Visiting Programs

Checking In Before Visit

– Identify what you wish to accomplish by engaging the father.

• Service Plans• Bring ideas to enhance value• Be prepared to ask him what he wants or thinks

13

What strategies are MORE helpful in increasing father participation?

• Scheduling home visits at a time when father is available61.7% said Very Helpful

• Providing father with information about father involvement60.4% said Very Helpful

• Providing father with information about the value of his.51.3% said Very Helpful

• Inviting father to participate during doctor’s visits49.4% said Very Helpful

Source: Mothers’ Attitudes Survey

14

Barrierssystems

Source: University of South Florida Health

15

• Reflect on his past and current experiences

• Inquire some about his family dynamics; including who raised him.

• What was the relationship like with his own father (or stepfather and mother’s boyfriend)?

• Would you like your child’s life to be like - “the same as yours or different?”

• What kind of father do you want to be?

Value The Venue of Engagement

Engagement Strategies

16

• First contact between the agency and the non-resident father is a unique opportunity to establish positive strength-based relationship.

• A meaningful first contact between father and caseworker can set the stage for frequent, ongoing, high-quality interactions that ultimately benefit the child.

• A father’s feeling of low self-worth was a barrier to initiating work with agencies (WIC).

• A father should feel comfortable, respected, or valued in their dealing with the child welfare system.

• Connect with mother to ensure she understands his value to her children

The Source, Spring 2009 Volume 19, No.1

Engagement Opportunities

Rationale Behind Questioning

• Let father know, the rationale for the questioning

• How often do you find fun things to do with your family?

• Tell me about a time your child witness you handling a stressful situation without things getting out of control.

• How often do you read to the your spouse/partner?

• Source Insoo Kim Berg Family Preservation

Studies suggest that fathers’ involvement in permanency planning has the potential to help reduce this disproportionate number of children of color in foster care.

18

Disproportionality

Source: ScienceDirect (Children & Youth Services Review 30 (2008) 404-417

Outcomes

• Remind fathers of the likely outcomes for their children when is engaged– School age children of involved fathers

• Are better academic achievers• Are more likely to perform better a standardize test • Are less likely to be involve with the judicial system• Are less likely to be a teen parent• Are more likely to view father as a role model

20

• The title implies a loss, a leak in someone that is about to go flat or empty.

• It suggests that you must become aware of the impact or damage that is about to occur.

• The longer we wait to take action to repair the hole the greater that damage being done.

• The word “Soul” means a focus on something higher than what we would think about.

• The idea is making the point of loss and how it makes us incomplete in our relationships with our children.

• It suggest a conscience level of awareness

to do what is right. Source: Dr. Clarence Bibby

The Hole in the Soul

Kenneth D. ThompsonFatherhood Program

Specialist

512-438-4560Kenneth.thompson@dfps.state.tx.us

21

22

• Baskerville, S. (2000). Fathers’ rights are fathers’ duties. Father magazine. Washington, DC: Howard University.• Blumenthal, K., & Weinberg, A. (1984). Establishing parent involvement in foster care agencies. New York: Child Welfare

League of America.• Bryan, M. (1998). Prodigal Fathers: Reuniting Fathers and Their Children. Three Rivers Press.• Brown, B.V., Michelson, E.A., Halle, T.G., & Moore, K.A. (2001). Fathers’ activities with their kids. Child Trends research brief.

Washington, DC: Child Trends.• Daniel, B., & Taylor, J. (2001). Engaging with fathers: Practice issues for health and social care. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley.• Department for Education and Skills. (2004). Engaging fathers: Involving parents, raising achievement. Department for

Education and Skills Publications.• Eberly, D. Confronting father absence: A guide to renewing fatherhood in your community. Gaithersburg, MD: National

Fatherhood Initiative.• Feeley, T.J. (2000). Low-income noncustodial fathers: A child advocate’s guide to helping them contribute to the support of

their children. National Association of Child Advocates Issue Brief.• Flatter, C., Herzog, J. M., Tyson, P.,& Ross, K. The father’s role. Sesame Workshop. (http://www.ctw.org/parents/advice)• Gurian, M. (1999). The good son. New York: Penguin Putnam.• Halle, T., Moore, K., Greene, A., & LeMenestrel, S. M. (1998). What policymakers need to know about fathers. Policy &

practice• Velazquez, C Sonia, Vincent, Stefanie, (2009). The Source, Promising Interventions for Strengthen Relationship Between

Non-Resident Fathers and Their Children• The 2003 public policy of the National Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families. Washington, DC: National

Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families.• Rycus, J. S., & Hughes, R. C. (1998). Field guide to Child Welfare. Washington, DC: CWLA Press.• Roulet, M. (no date available). Fatherhood programs and domestic violence. Center on Fathers, Families, and Public Policy.• Sonenstein, F, Malm, K., & Billing, A. (2002). Study of fathers’ involvement in permanency planning and Child Welfare

casework. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.• Sylvester, K., & Reich, K. (2000). Restoring fathers to families and communities: Six steps for policymakers. Baltimore, MD:

The Social Policy Action Network.• Toth, J. F. & Xu, X. (1999). Ethnic and cultural diversity in fathers’ involvement: A racial/ethnic comparison of African

American, Hispanic, and White fathers. Youth & society, 31(1), 76-99.• Video: Evelyn. (2002). Starring Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Quinn, and Julianna Margulies. Produced by metro Goldwyn Mayer.• Wolfgang, L., & Wolfgang, L. D. (1999). Fathers in Prison: Reuniting Fathers and Their Children. Stone Creek Publications• Sarah Allen, MSC., & Kerry Daly, PHD.,(2008) The Effects of Father Involvement., University of Guelph• The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work –Engaging fathers• Dr Clarence Bibby , Family Learning Academy• Source Insoo Kim Berg Family Preservation• Tips from a father in prison; Carlin, M 2002

Bibliography