Engaging Fathers in Child Welfare

Each year in Ohio, hundreds of children become involved with child welfare due to suspected or confirmed abuse or neglect.  Some of these children were living with both biological parents when child welfare got involved, and their mother, father, or both, maltreated them.  However, many of these children were living with their mother, mother’s partner, or other relatives, but not their father.  For these children, their biological fathers are often left out of caregiver search efforts, case planning, team meetings and court hearings, even if they have been a positive presence in the child's life before child welfare's involvement.


To encourage more child welfare workers to engage fathers, in 2015, a work group which included staff from the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood was formed.  The result is the following  "Best Practice Guide for Engaging Fathers". Click on the image below to view the guide.