Social workers need to work with fathers across many service systems, but lack guidance on how to do so, and most engagement, assessment, and intervention work for family-serving systems is mother- and child-focused. Father-inclusive readings and resources are also limited. Drawing on the expertise of well-regarded research and practice experts in the field, this comprehensive book provides guidance to social work practitioners and researchers on how to engage, assess, and serve fathers. Instructors can use the text to include fathers in courses on the human behavior and social environment, family systems, clinical practice, diversity, or service systems.
Social service systems, unfortunately, have often struggled to positively engage men as parents. Recent demographic trends indicate that fathers are providing more direct care to children and single-father households are one of the most rapidly growing demographic groups in the United States. Barriers to their successful engagement include biases and assumptions about men and fathers, a lack of father-friendly policies and practices in the field, limited training on how to work with fathers, and relatively limited father-inclusive social work research until recently.
This book addresses these barriers. It is a guide to social workers in their efforts to better serve men as parents, and does so from an ecological and systems perspective. Multiple case examples and practical tools are provided, as well as specific content on major social service systems. Topics explored include:- Father Engagement
- Organizational “Father Friendly” Assessments
- Interventions with Fathers
- Setting the Course for Future Theory, Research, and Practice with Fathers
Social Work Practice with Fathers: Engagement, Assessment, and Intervention is a book that could be folded into foundation courses in social work or used by practitioners in the field. It is an essential text for graduate students in social work, psychology, sociology, child development, allied health, and similar disciplines and professions, and a go-to resource for helping professionals/practitioners such as social workers, psychologists, and licensed professional counselors. Advanced undergraduate students in these disciplines and professions also will find the text useful in their studies and work.
Author(s): Jennifer L. Bellamy, Brianna P. Lemmons, Qiana R. Cryer-Coupet, Jennifer A. Shadik
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 344
City: Cham
Acknowledgments
Contents
About the Editors
Contributors
Chapter 1: Introduction
Overall Framing
Defining Parenting, Fathering, and Co-Parenting
Engagement of Fathers in Social Work Practice
Overview of the Structure of the Book
Guidance for Instructors
Complementary Texts
Conclusion
References
Part I: Engagement
Chapter 2: Framing Father Engagement
Introduction
Background and Context
The Evolution of Fathering Roles in the United States
The Responsible Fatherhood Movement
Overview of Federal Initiatives to Promote Responsible Fatherhood
A Rising Focus on Father Engagement in Human Services
The Social Work Profession and the Father Engagement Imperative
Definitions, Practice Guides, and Frameworks for Engaging Fathers in Human Services
Barriers to Father Engagement in Human Services
Program and Provider-Based Barriers
Personal Paternal Barriers to Father Engagement
Best Practices and Recommendations for Engaging Fathers in Human Services
Program Level Practices
Recruitment Strategies
Community Engagement
Direct Invitations
Utilize Word of Mouth
Provide Incentives and Practical Assistance
Retention Strategies
Creating a Father-Inclusive Environment
Physical Environment
Social Environment
Father Responsive Programming
Program Flexibility
Father-Specific Services
Co-Parenting Relationships
Organization-Level Practices
Staff Training
Program Assessments
Utilizing Community Partnerships
Systems-Level Practices
Employing a Community-Based Participatory Approach
Engaging in Policy Review
Providing Resources for Infrastructure and Capacity Building in Fatherhood Program
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Resources
Books
Websites
Case Studies
Multimedia (Podcasts, Webinars, & Videos)
Practice Guides
References
Chapter 3: Engaging Individual Fathers From a Developmental and Family Systems Perspective
Introduction
Background and Context
Conceptual Framing
Family Systems Theory
Life Course Theory
Teen Fathers
Developmental Considerations and Unique Needs
Family Systems and Involvement
Engagement
Fathering in Adulthood
First-Time Fathers
Developmental Considerations and Unique Needs
Family Systems and Involvement
Engagement
Fathers with Multiple Partners and Households
Developmental Considerations and Unique Needs
Family Systems and Involvement
Engagement
Older Fathers and Grandfathers
Developmental Considerations and Unique Needs
Family Systems and Involvement
Engagement
Recommended Strategies and Practices
Target Services Developmentally
Bringing Services to Fathers
Genograms
Ecomaps
Conclusion
Resources
Teen Fathers
Older Fathers and Grandfathers
Genograms
Eco Mapping
Discussion Questions
References
Chapter 4: Engaging Fathers Within Programs, Organizations, and Systems
Introduction
Background and Context
National Policy Context
Changing Roles of Fathers in the Family
Barriers to Father Engagement
Biases
Failure to Identify, Locate, and Communicate with Fathers
Leadership, Supervision, and the Organizational Culture
Exclusion of Fathers in Tools, Data Systems, and Evaluation Practices
Policy Context
Conceptual Framing
Continuous and Multi-level Engagement
Strengths-Based Approach
Recommended Strategies and Practices
Leadership, Training, and Supervision
Efforts to Identify and Locate Fathers
Creating a Multi-level Culture of Father Inclusion
Continuous Efforts at Improvement and Assessment
Shifting the Policy Frame
Adding Programming and Father-Inclusive Spaces
Father Engagement Collaboratives and Committees
Resources
Discussion Questions
References
Chapter 5: Engaging Fathers in Research and Evaluation
Introduction
Background and Context
Conceptual Framing—Just Practice Framework
Meaning
History
Power
Context
Possibility
Recommended Strategies and Practices
Strategy 1: Community Advisory Board
JPF Themes to Consider: Power, History, Possibility
Strategy 2: Word of Mouth
JPF Themes to Consider: Meaning, Context, Power
Strategy 3: Face-to-Face Contact
JPF Themes to Consider: Meaning and Context
Strategy 4: Engagement Through Online and Text Communication
JPF Themes to Consider: Context and Possibility
Strategy 5: Outreach Through Local Organizations and Natural Groups
JPF Themes to Consider: Power, History, Context
Strategy 6: Recruitment Support and Gatekeeping
JPF Themes to Consider: Power, Context, Possibility
Strategy 7: Father-Friendly Research Design
JPF Themes to Consider: Meaning, Context, Power, History, Possibility
Conclusion
Resources and Additional Reading
Discussion Questions
References
Part II: Assessment
Chapter 6: Assessment with Fathers: Recognizing Strengths, Challenges, and Contexts
Introduction
Background and Context
Why Fathering Matters
Why Fathering Should Be Assessed
Conceptual Framing
Approaches to Assessing Fathering
Marginalized Fathers
Recommended Assessment Approaches
Need for Comprehensive and Strengths-Based Assessment
Incorporating Fluidity in Fathering into Assessment
Father-Friendly Assessment of Father Involvement
Resources
Discussion Questions
References
Chapter 7: Organizational “Father-Friendliness” Assessments
Introduction
Background and Context
Promising Practices for Engaging Fathers
Recommended Assessment Approaches
General Father-Friendly Assessment Process
Father-Friendliness Assessment Tools
Father-Friendliness Organizational Self-Assessment and Planning Tool (FFOSAP)
Father Friendly Check-Up (FFCU)
Assessment Guide on Father Inclusive Practices (FIP)
The Dakota Father-Friendly Assessment (DFF)
Common Assessment Categories and Sample Questions
Evaluating Results of the Assessment and Implementing Changes
Recommendations and Considerations
Resources
Father-Friendliness Assessment Tools
Discussion Questions
References
Part III: Intervention
Chapter 8: Framing Interventions with Fathers
Introduction
Background and Context
Conceptual Framing: Family-Centered Practice and Collaborative Competencies
Recommended Strategies for Engaging Fathers in Social Work Interventions
Intrapersonal Competence
Personal Experiences
Professional Experiences
Passion
Interpersonal Competence
Self-Disclosure
Respect
Shared Decision-Making
Professional Competence
Formal Training
Self-Initiated Training
Conclusion
Resources
Books
Articles
Websites
Discussion Questions
References
Chapter 9: Expanding Our Understanding of Public Policies to Support Father Involvement
Introduction
Background and Context
Policies and the Well-Being of Fathers: Theoretical Foundations
Current Policies: Child Support Enforcement
Evaluating Child Support Enforcement
Reforming Child Support Enforcement
Other Policy Domains That Can Impact Father Involvement
Criminal Justice Policies
Wages and Employment Policies
Health-Care Policies
Family- and Child-Focused Policies
Conclusion
Resources
Discussion Questions
References
Chapter 10: Group Work with Fathers in Federal Pretrial Detention and a Community-Based Residential Setting: Reflections on Practice and Policies Across Contexts
Introduction
Background and Context
Conceptual Framework
Recommended Intervention Approaches
The Context for the Groups
Format of the Group
Common Themes in the Two Fathering Groups
Children Do Not Know Their Father’s History
Role of Older Fathers in the Group
Feeling Incompetent as a Father and Inadequate as a Man
Difficulty Parenting From Afar
Dealing with Their Own History
Interacting with the Mother of Their Child
Who Is Raising Their Child in Their Absence?
Positive Messages About Mothers and Grandmothers with Less Being Said About Fathers
Beliefs About Men’s and Women’s Roles in the Family
The Fathers’ Visits with Their Children
Intervening with the Fathers
Policy Considerations and Conclusion
Resources
Discussion Questions
References
Chapter 11: Engaging Fathers in Child Welfare and Foster Care Settings: Promoting Paternal Contributions to the Safety, Permanency, and Well-being of Children and Families
Introduction
Background and Context
Father Engagement in the Child Welfare System
Barriers to Father Engagement in the Child Welfare System
Conceptual Framing
The Child Welfare System and Father Engagement
Definitions of Fathers in the Child Welfare System
Recommended Intervention Approaches
Child Maltreatment Prevention
Paternity Establishment
Intensive Family Preservation Services
Permanency Planning
Young Fathers in Foster Care
Improving Father Engagement and Intervention in the Child Welfare System
Conclusion
Resources
Discussion Questions
References
Chapter 12: Father-Friendly School Interventions: Helping Schools Create Engagement Opportunities
Introduction
Background and Context
Conceptual Framework
Barriers to Father Engagement in Schools
Father Engagement Interventions
Interaction
Intervention
Training
Discussion
Facilitating
Fathers as Partners
Father Engagement Strategies
Category 1 Communication
Category 2 Fatherhood
Category 3 Student Learning
Category 4 Volunteering
Category 5 Making Decisions
Category 6 Collaboration
Discussion Questions
Resources
References
Chapter 13: Fathers’ Participation in Early Childhood Programs
Introduction
Background and Context
An Overview of Early Childhood Programs
The Abecedarian Project and the Infant Health and Development Project
Head Start and Early Head Start
Conceptual Framing
Early Childhood Programs That Engage Fathers
Programs Focused on Fathers’ Financial Contributions
Programs Focused on Fathers’ Involvement
Recommended Intervention Approaches
Design Interventions for Fathers and Mothers
Make Intervention Content Relevant for Fathers and Mothers
Modify Service Delivery to Be Suitable to Fathers
Offer Proper and Meaningful Compensation
Include Fathers’ Voices and Understand Their Individual Needs
Use Technology to Recruit and Retain Fathers
Discussion Questions
Resources
References
Chapter 14: Fathers and Child Support: How Money Transfers and Other Interactions Impact Family Dynamics
Introduction
Background and Context
One in Four Children Lives in a Single-Parent Home
Economically Independent Women Becoming Increasingly the Norm After World War II
The Emergence of the Deadbeat Dad Myth
History of the Child Support Program
Early History of the Child Support Program—Reimburse the Government
Mid-history of the Program—Maximize Collections for Custodial Parents and Government
Recent Child Support History—Moving from Government Reimbursement to Income Transfer Between Parents
The Future—Decoupling Enforcement to Focus on Thriving Dual Household Families
Conceptual Framing
Reducing Contempt of Court and Incarceration
Low-Income Parents and Inability to Consistently Comply
Disproportionate Impact on Minority Families
Fathers’ Integration into the Lives of Children
Recommended Intervention Approaches
Discussion Questions
Resources
Government
Other Sources
References
Chapter 15: Engaging Fathers in Intimate Partner Violence Interventions
Introduction
Background and Context
Conceptual Framing
Recommended Intervention Approaches
General Approaches to Fathering and IPV
Batterer Intervention Programs
Responsible Fatherhood Programs
Caring Dads
Fathers for Change (Intervention That Includes Both Parents)
Future Directions
A Call to Action for Future Work
Discussion Questions
Resources
References
Part IV: Conclusion
Chapter 16: Setting the Course for Future Theory, Research, and Practice with Fathers
Introduction
Theory
Father Involvement Theory
Father Engagement Theory
Opportunities for Theory Development
Research
Education and Training
Practice
References
Appendix A: Glossary
Appendix B: Social Work Grand Challenges Related to Fathers and Fathering
Appendix C: Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) Competency Map for Book Chapters
Appendix D: Syllabi Maps
Appendix E: Policy Reflection Activity
Family Impact Analysis
Appendix F: Practice Reflection Activity
Examining the Impacts of Mass Incarceration on Black Fathers
Mass Incarceration
The Collateral Consequences of Paternal Incarceration
Recommended Strategies and Practices
Appendix G: Case Vignettes
Case #1
Case #2
Case #3
Case #4
Case #5
Case #6
Appendix H: Resource List
References
Appendix E: Policy Reflection Activity
Appendix F: Practice Reflection Activity
Index
