A Service of the Children S Bureau, Member of the T/TA Network

A service of the Children’s Bureau, member of the T/TA Network

CFSR/CFSP Coordinators Peer Network National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement

Responses to Iowa’s Request for Information on Policies on Father and Non-Custodial Parent Engagement 01/29/2013

Request:

Greetings CFSR/CFSP Coordinators Network Members!

Below is an information request from our colleagues in Iowa. Kara Lynn writes: Iowa is in the middle of our PIP implementation period. We are, during this quarter, reviewing and revising several policies related to our practice. One policy change is in regards to engaging fathers and non-custodial parents. Are there any states willing to share their policies on father and non-custodial parent engagement? The policies could be related to any phase of the process, intake, assessment, case management, etc. We really would like to learn from our peers. Thanks!

Responses:

1. Debra Hibbard, Wyoming - [email protected]

Here is our current "Preserving Connections" policy and our old "Working with incarcerated Parents" policy, which we added into the Preserving connections policy. I have also added our "Family Services Plan" policy and placement policies. (See Attached)

2. Brenda Gooley, Vermont - [email protected] I am responding to your request for policy regarding fatherhood engagement. In VT we have developed a position paper regarding father engagement based on a series of focus groups with fathers involved in the child welfare system and a review of the research. It is still in draft form, as it needs to be fully vetted. I have attached it here for your reference. Vermont has also passed state statute (the Juvenile Proceedings Act) that requires non-custodial parent identification, assessment and planning in the juvenile court proceedings. We have several policies that have been developed from that statute. We have also developed a practice model that speaks to various engagement strategies. Our practice model can be found at: Practice Model Our policies can be found at: http://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/policies

3. Jonah Idczak, California - [email protected] The attached information details our program improvement plan for Region II which is a third of the state of Washington. We have taken the lead on this father engagement program improvement plan and now the other two regions in the state are beginning to follow to set up a similar program. While we do not have specific policy written up the attached information should be helpful for Iowa in developing policy on this subject. (See Attached) 4. "Ellingson, Cindy, California - [email protected] Iowa might, our Father Matter internet site of interest. http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/about/fm_intro.asp.

5. Millie Carpenter, Oklahoma- [email protected] Please find Oklahoma Department of Human Services Child Welfare Services Permanency Planning policy excerpts re: noncustodial parent. (See Attached)

6. Deborah Ramelmeier, Maryland - [email protected]

Please find attached Maryland's policy. (See Attached)

7. Daphne Billingsley, Tennessee - [email protected] TN is working on items 19 & 20 in its PIP and we have a pretty detailed visitation protocol attached to our policy that spells out most all visitation types. It tells who does what and how frequently. You may share this link with Iowa. I hope it helps some. http://www.tn.gov/youth/dcsguide/policies/chap16/16.38Att.pdf

8. Liz Kromrei, Texas - [email protected]

Attached are policies that support father and parent engagement. While we recognize the importance of fatherhood, our policies are directed to parent(s) engagement which includes the fathers. An important element to policy implementation is the fatherhood toolkit; a tool developed for caseworkers as an aide for engaging fathers. Both the English and Spanish versions are attached. However, there are times when fathers are mentioned specifically in Texas Child Protective Services policy, as indicated (and with links provided) below.

The first one specifically talks about engaging fathers in Family Based Safety Services (in homes services).

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/handbooks/CPS/Files/CPS_pg_3400.asp#CPS_3415

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/handbooks/CPS/Files/CPS_pg_5230.asp#CPS_5234_3

This policy is about notifying both parents in an investigation when a child was interviewed/examined:

This policy is about locating absent parents in an investigation:

This is about involving all parents in Family Plans of Service:

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/handbooks/CPS/Files/CPS_pg_6240.asp#CPS_6252_2

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/handbooks/CPS/Files/CPS_px_3620.asp?zoom_highlight=father+s+ This policy is about involving non-custodial parents:

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/handbooks/CPS/Files/CPS_pg_4480.asp?zoom_highlight=father+s+

Here is the best contact person for fatherhood issues in Texas:

Kenneth D. Thompson Fatherhood Program Specialist 701 W 51st Street, Winters Building Austin, Texas 78751 512.438.4560 Fax 512.339.5927

9. Katherine Guffey, Arizona - [email protected] In Arizona we don’t have a distinct policy on engaging fathers, but we reference fathers in a few sections of our policy, to make clear that non-custodial parents, incarcerated parents (often the father), and fathers must not be left out. Here are a couple of these:  Invite the parent (custodial and non-custodial parents including all alleged fathers), guardian or custodian and encourage the family to bring support persons (family, friends, relatives, community members, special friends/connections, if applicable, tribal representative, etc.) to the TDM meeting.  If the permanency goal is remain with family or family reunification, CPS Specialists shall have face-to- face contact with all parents at least once a month, including any alleged parents, parents residing outside of the child's home, and incarcerated parents.

We have also been working on a family-centered practice guide. This is comprised of tips that used to be in our policy manual. We took them out, but didn’t want to loose the content, so now it’s going to be a “guide.” This isn’t specific to dads, but maybe there will be something Iowa can use.

I’m sorry I don’t have more to share.