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.

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Upcoming Events

The Commission Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 14, 2022 from 10:00 am. – 12:00 p.m. It will be a virtual Zoom Webinar. The audience is encouraged to utilize the chat Q&A to interact with the Commissioners, guest speaker(s), and the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood (OCF) staff. 
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81763981193?pwd=TmhYMEY1eFgxWTNEZTZIbnBPRFlsdz09
Passcode: 813187
Webinar ID: 817 6398 1193
The phone # +1 301 715 8592

Please click here to join the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood Meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2022 Commissioners’ Meeting.
If you would like to listen to the recordings or see presentations from the previous Commission Meetings, please click here. 

Please Note: We are unable to provide technical assistance during meetings. 

2022 Commission Meeting Dates:    Feb. 10, May 12, July 14, Sept. 8 and Nov. 10. 

If you would like to attend a commission meeting or if you have any questions, please contact Terri Simons via e-mail at Terri.Simons@jfs.ohio.gov. 

If you need to speak to someone over the phone, please contact Executive Director Kimberly Dent at 614-752-0583. 

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