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Information
Strengthening Families: Engaging Fathers and Father Figures in Child Welfare and Treatment
Original Recording Date :
Jul 24, 2025 (EST)
Course Format
Recorded webinar.
Description: Fathers and father figures play a critical role in a child’s well-being, yet they are often overlooked in family preservation and reunification efforts. This training, based on the National Family Preservation Network's (NFPN) Involving Father’s in Children's Lives curriculum, utilizes a trauma-informed lens to equip professionals with tools to effectively engage fathers in treatment and family services.
Through interactive discussions and practical strategies, participants will explore how to overcome systemic and personal barriers to father involvement, ensuring a more holistic and successful approach to child welfare. By incorporating father figures into treatment plans, professionals can strengthen family stability, improve child outcomes, and foster more meaningful parental engagement.
This training is ideal for social workers, therapists, child welfare professionals, and anyone committed to strengthening families through inclusive and effective practices.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the role and impact of fathers and father figures in child development and treatment.
- Identify common barriers to father figure involvement and strategies to address them.
- Apply practical interventions using NFPN tools to enhance father engagement in family preservation.
Research: For more information on the efficacy of the National Family Preservation Network programs see the NFPN Resources Website.
Target Audience: social workers, mental health practitioners, creative arts therapists, marriage and facility therapists, psychologists, addiction professionals, case managers, and other interested individuals.
Customer ServiceWe are happy to respond to any concerns or questions you may have. Please contact us at by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-829-5841.
Michelle Reines, MSW
Michelle Reines earned her Master of Social Work Degree from Florida International University in 2000 and spent several years working in south Florida, most notably at the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. She later transitioned to the North Carolina Division of Social Services as the family preservation and reunification consultant. In July 2019, Michelle became executive director of the National Family Preservation Network. She is most passionate about preserving families and helping children avoid foster care.
Todd Hickman, LCSW
Todd Hickman is a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience working with children and families providing mental health and substance use services including residential and community-based services. He is a co-founder of Health Connect America, a community-based service provider that started as a Tennessee company and now serves nine states with over 90 offices focused on providing a continuum of community-based services in urban and rural communities. Todd has served on the Board at National Family Preservation Network since 2017.
