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July/August 2006Vol. 7, No. 6Debut of Fatherhood User Manual

Working with fathers of children involved in the child welfare system often requires specialized understanding and different approaches by CPS caseworkers than might be used with mothers. The effective engagement of fathers is the focus of the newest User Manual from the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect. The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children provides information to frontline caseworkers and other professionals about the profound impact of fathers on their children, as well as practical guidance on engaging fathers in assessment, case planning, and services when children suffer maltreatment.

  • The first section of the manual examines what is known about the relationship between fathers and their children's health and welfare, including the role of fathers in the prevention and occurrence of abuse. Chapters also cover the topics of case planning with fathers and services.


  • Section II provides guidance on fatherhood programs and includes examples of programs from across the country that address everything from helping new fathers cope to working with incarcerated fathers. Chapters also cover Federal fatherhood initiatives and legislation, relevant national organizations, and cultural competence. Tipsheets designed to be shared with fathers complete the manual.

The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children, by J. Rosenberg and W. B. Wilcox, is part of the Child Abuse and Neglect User Manual series produced by the Children's Bureau's Office on Child Abuse and Neglect in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Other manuals in the series provide child welfare caseworkers, supervisors, and other professionals with information about recognizing and responding to child maltreatment.

To download any User Manual or to order a copy, visit the following Child Welfare Information Gateway webpage:

www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanual.cfm

Related Item

Children's Bureau Express explores the topic of father involvement in a related article in this issue: "Nonresident Fathers and the Child Welfare System."