Why this Topic Matters to Us
Father engagement matters because kids do better when their dads are involved. When fathers are supported and included in child welfare decisions, families grow stronger, and young people have better outcomes. A connection with their dad can give youth a sense of identity, safety, and belonging. Adults working in the system have an important role in making sure dads aren’t left out. Whether it’s helping families reunite, offering support programs, or having real conversations, involving fathers shows that every parent matters and every child deserves to feel supported and cared for.m.
When agencies successfully identify and contact fathers within the first 30 days of a case, children are more likely to achieve permanency through reunification or placement with relatives.
(Malm & Zielewski (2009)
Learn from Lived Experience
"I’m an uncle, but in raising my niece, I became a father figure. When my wife and I separated, I feared she’d go into foster care and be taken from me. But our social worker saw my commitment, and 22 years later, she’s still with me. It’s important to recognize that men can step up and meet a child’s needs.”
— Bob Ruble, Kinship Caregiver, California
