In January 2024, the National Quality Improvement Center on Family-Centered Reunification (QIC-R) presented a webinar, “Building a Culture of Father Engagement to Enrich Family-Centered Reunification,” which focused on the importance of including fathers in the child welfare system.
The webinar reviews the history of father involvement in child welfare, acknowledging how perspectives and approaches have shifted over time. The presenter, Child Welfare Consultant Chauncey Strong, discusses the significant role that fathers play in the family dynamic and the benefits of their engagement in the reunification process. The webinar also explores the challenges and successful strategies associated with effectively engaging fathers. This includes a discussion about cultural and systemic barriers that can complicate father engagement.