Strengthening Families: Engaging Fathers and Father Figures in Child Welfare and Treatment
Credit Available - See CEs/Contact Hours tab below.
Total Credits: 7.75 NYSED LMSW & LCSW CEs/Contact Hours, 7.75 NYSED LMHC CEs/Contact Hours, 7.75 NYSED LMFT CEs/Contact Hours, 7.75 NYSED LCAT CEs/Contact Hours, 7.75 NYSED PSY CEs/Contact Hours, 6.5 ASWB ACE approved continuing education, 7.75 UBSW - NYS OASAS
- Average Rating:
- 55
- Categories:
- Children and Adolescents | Therapeutic Modalities | Certificate Program: Online Trauma-Informed Clinical Foundation | Online Trauma-Informed Clinical Foundation: Elective Courses | Certificate Program: Trauma-Informed Care & Counseling | Care & Counseling: Elective Courses | Trauma and PTSD
- Trainers:
- Michelle Reines, MSW | Todd Hickman, LCSW
- Course Levels:
- Beginning and Intermediate
- Duration:
- 4 Hours 28 Minutes
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Original Recording Date:
- Jul 24, 2025
- Format:
- Self-Study
Description
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.
CEs/Contact Hours
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0001. Continuing education contact hours: 7.75 Self-Study
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0008. Continuing education contact hours: 7.75 Self-Study
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0007. Continuing education contact hours: 7.75 Self-Study
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists #CAT-0003. Continuing education contact hours: 7.75 Self-Study
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0062. Continuing education contact hours: 7.75 Self-Study
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education, #1773, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 02/23/2023 - 02/23/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 6.5 continuing education credits.
NYS OASAS Provider #0045: 7.75 hours for : CPP & CPS Initial Hours in Section 4; CASAC, CPP & CPS Renewal Hours.
Handouts
| SS Agenda Father Involvement (451.4 KB) | Download | ||
| Father Involvement PPT 2per page (0.79 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Father Involvement PPT 3per page (0.66 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Agency Self-Assessment (0.12 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Assessing Father Involvement (0.15 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Activities for Fathers and Their Children (0.11 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Local Resource Contacts (0.06 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Reference List (0.16 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Sesame Street Workshops - Incarceration | Available after Purchase | ||
| OCFS Locating and Engaging Fathers in Domestic Violence Situations | Available after Purchase | ||
Trainer
Michelle Reines, MSW Related Seminars and Products
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 Related Seminars and Products
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.
Agenda
Part 1
- Agenda & Introductions (Michelle)
- About this Curriculum (Michelle)
- Goals of the Training (Michelle)
- Fatherhood Issues and Legislation (Michelle)
- Our Beliefs About Fathers (Michelle)
- Barriers to Involving Fathers (Todd)
Part 2
- What Fathers Contribute to Children (Todd)
- Communication & Parenting Styles (Todd)
- Messages Fathers/Mothers/Children Need to Hear (Todd)
- Principles of Practice in Working with Fathers (Todd)
Part 3
- My Relationship with My Father (Michelle)
- Fathers’ Mental Health (Michelle)
- Therapeutic Techniques for Fathers (Todd)
Part 4
- Overcoming Obstacles to Father Involvement (Todd)
- Information for Administrators (Michelle)
- Closing and Evaluations (Michelle)
Self-Study Equipment Requirements
Required Hardware
- A computer (desktop/laptop) or mobile device (smartphone/tablet).
- Speakers/headphones/earbuds
Internet Connection
- A stable Internet connection of 56K or greater is required. (However, please note that a 56K connection may degrade the quality of your experience.)
Any questions about these requirements or other technical questions can be directed to sw-ce@buffalo.edu.
Self-Study Course Access
Upon successful registration of the course, including receipt of payment, you will be able to access the course materials.
How do I test my system / access the online training?
To access the program, please log into your account. Click on the Launch Viewer button next to your program title.
How do I access the course materials
To download course materials, log into your account. Under the seminar name click on the Handouts button.
Completion Requirements
No partial credit is given for partial attendance.
Self-Study Completion Requirements
In order to receive a certificate of completion for this course participants must complete the following.
Please note all requirements can be found in your UBCE21 portal
- Watch the video(s) in it's entirety.
- After the training, take and pass the quiz with a score of 80% or higher. Participants have three chances to pass the quiz. You can access the quiz by clicking on the "Evaluation and Certificate" button for this course.
- After the training, complete the evaluation by clicking on the "Evaluation and Certificate" button for this course.
The certificate of completion will be immediately generated in your account upon completion of all course requirements. Certificates may be downloaded, printed, or left in your account.
Self-Study Cancellation Policy
Self-Study Courses: Participants have up to 72 hours from purchase to contact the Office of Continuing Education by email and request a refund.