Father Engagement Toolkit

Father engagement is a critical component of Child Welfare work in Colorado. Not only is engaging fathers required by rule, but research demonstrates that it can promote positive case and family outcomes, including an increased likelihood of reunification and a decreased length of stay in foster care. There has been a significant amount of work put into creating and sharing tips, tricks, and evidence-based practices for engaging fathers across Colorado and the US, which this website seeks to compile, organize, and make as accessible as possible. The tools, resources, and literature on this site aim to support caseworkers and their teams to successfully and effectively identify and engage fathers across child welfare cases. Remember to approach father engagement with the view that this relationship may be extremely important to the child.

A special thanks to Arapahoe, Denver, El Paso, Fremont, Larimer, and Morgan County for their dedication to engaging fathers and their willingness to share resources. Thanks as well to the ARCH Project for their excellent contributions to understanding and promoting father engagement in Colorado (Read more about the ARCH Project here). For more information about the ARCH Project and other research-practice partnerships, please visit https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/swrc/

If you have ideas as to how to improve this webpage or have resources to contribute, please email CDHS_father_engagement@state.co.us. CDHS is also collecting father engagement success stories that may be shared with others to help encourage further father engagement. If you have a success story that you would like to share, you can submit it anonymously at this link: Submit Success Stories

Resources have been compiled from a range of sources, including many Colorado counties, and organized by category, subcategory, and keyword. To search these resources, you can select keywords of interest, or filter by categories and subcategories. Please be aware that county developed resources may contain county-specific policy.

ImageTitleCategoriesTagsLinkhf:doc_categorieshf:doc_tags
Finding Your Way: Guides for Fathers in Child Protection Cases, , , , ,
agency-guides tools-and-resources tools-for-practice fatherhood-engagementadvocacy court-resources father-engagement new-resource
Father Friendly Check-up for Child Protective Courts, , , ,
agency-guides tools-and-resources tools-for-practice fatherhood-engagementagency-perspectives new-resource protocols-assessments
Engaging Fathers: Tools and Tips to Assess the Father-Friendliness of your Organization, , , ,
agency-guides tools-and-resources tools-for-practice fatherhood-engagementagency-perspectives new-resource protocols-assessments
Working with fathers who are culturally different — American Humane,
cultural-considerations-for-fathers tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementdiversity-equity father-engagement
What_s in it for… Engaging nonresident fathers – American Humane,
advocacy-materials tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementadvocacy father-engagement
Tips for working with dad_ coparenting and conflict – American Humane, , , , , ,
cultural-considerations-for-fathers domestic-violence-parental-conflict nonresident-fathers tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementcaseworker-engagement coparenting domestic-violence father-engagement nonresident-fathers
Tips for workers working with fathers who are angry – American Humane, , ,
cultural-considerations-for-fathers domestic-violence-parental-conflict tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementcaseworker-engagement domestic-violence father-engagement
Tips for transforming conflict into partnership – American Humane, ,
agency-guides miscellaneous-overarching tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementcultural-change father-engagement
The How of Fatherhood Engagement – Denver
identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement
The Family Safety Circles Booklet,
identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification templates
Supervision Note – Denver,
agency-guides templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementprotocols-assessments
Strategies for engaging non-resident fathers – American Humane
nonresident-fathers tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementnonresident-fathers
Sample family finding letter – CASA PPR, , , ,
identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement father-identification paternal-relatives templates
Questions for finding natural connections, , ,
identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement father-identification paternal-relatives templates
Quality Contact and Engagement with Parent – Parent Contact Template, ,
agency-guides templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification templates
Parent Contact Template – CDHS, ,
agency-guides templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification templates
Male Help-Seeking Behaviors – American Humane,
cultural-considerations-for-fathers tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementdiversity-equity father-engagement
Locate Absent Parent Form – El Paso, , , ,
agency-guides identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification nonresident-fathers templates
Locate Absent Parent- Arapahoe, , , ,
agency-guides identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification nonresident-fathers templates
Keep Toss Add
templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement
Inmate Letter Denver, ,
templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors working-with-incarcerated-fathers tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementincarceration templates
High Level CW Case Flow – Larimer
training-learning-opportunities tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementagency-perspectives
Genogram Outline – Arapahoe,
identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification templates
Genogram Guide,
identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification templates
Framework Father Engagement
templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement
Father Engagement Tool 2021 El Paso, ,
agency-guides miscellaneous-overarching templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementprotocols-assessments
Father Engagement Review Tool 2021 El Paso, ,
agency-guides miscellaneous-overarching templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementprotocols-assessments
Father engagement review tool 12.18.20 – CDHS, ,
agency-guides miscellaneous-overarching templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementprotocols-assessments
Father engagement paternal relatives ARCH presentation, , , ,
research-summaries training-learning-opportunities tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementadvocacy father-involvement-in-child-welfare paternal-relatives research
Father engagement fathers_ perspectives ARCH presentation, , ,
research-summaries training-learning-opportunities tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementadvocacy father-involvement-in-child-welfare research
Father engagement Caseworker Perspectives ARCH presentation, , ,
research-summaries training-learning-opportunities tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementadvocacy agency-perspectives research
Father engagement barrier outline,
miscellaneous-overarching templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementresearch
Family Safety Circles – how to
identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementtemplates
Family Search Engagement and Dilligent Search Protocol – El Paso, ,
agency-guides identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification protocols-assessments
Engaging nonresident fathers in child welfare cases_ a guide for court appointed special advocates,
resources-for-court-stakeholders tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementcourt-resources nonresident-fathers
Engaging noncustodial fathers in child welfare cases_ a guide for children_s attorneys and lawyer guardians, ,
resources-for-court-stakeholders tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementcourt-resources father-engagement nonresident-fathers
Engaging Incarcerated Fathers overview,
working-with-incarcerated-fathers tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement incarceration
Efforts to locate parent(s) form – Denver, , ,
agency-guides identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification templates
Dependency and Neglect Bench Card for Caseworker Involvement – El Paso,
agency-guides resources-for-court-stakeholders tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementprotocols-assessments
Developing the relationship _ engaging non-resident fathers – American Humane, , ,
agency-guides miscellaneous-overarching nonresident-fathers tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement father-child-relationship
County Protocol for Absent Parent Search – Morgan, , ,
agency-guides identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives nonresident-fathers tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification protocols-assessments
Child Welfare practice with families affected by parental incarceration – Children_s Bureau, , ,
miscellaneous-overarching templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors working-with-incarcerated-fathers tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement incarceration
Client Contact Best Practices – Larimer,
agency-guides tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification templates
Benefits and barriers of engaging non-resident fathers – American Humane
nonresident-fathers tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementnonresident-fathers
Be Bold for the Needs of Dads Infographic – CSU, ,
advocacy-materials tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementadvocacy father-child-relationship research
Assessment Closure Summary – Denver
templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementprotocols-assessments
Are You My Client – Larimer
trails-resources-guides tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementtrails
All About Dads Infographic – CSU, ,
advocacy-materials tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementadvocacy father-child-relationship research
Absent Parent Search Guidance – Larimer,
agency-guides identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagement
5280-4-Dads Newsletter
advocacy-materials tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementadvocacy
90 day review template – CDHS
templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementprotocols-assessments
90 day review template – Denver
templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementprotocols-assessments
90 day review key – El Paso
templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementprotocols-assessments
90 day review outline – Fremont
templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementprotocols-assessments
90 day review court report template – Arapahoe
templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementprotocols-assessments
Documentation of efforts to locate absent parent – Morgan, , ,
agency-guides identifying-contacting-fathers-paternal-relatives templates-for-caseworkers-supervisors tools-for-practice tools-and-resources fatherhood-engagementfather-identification templates

Literature has been compiled from a range of academic sources and organized by category and keyword. To search these resources, you can select keywords of interest, or filter by categories. 

TitleCategoriesTagsLinkhf:doc_categorieshf:doc_tags
Fatherhood Engagement Research Brief – Identifying and Locating Dads, , , , , ,
child-welfare-outcomes fatherhood-engagement informational-brief-memo studies-and-memos tools-for-caseworkers research-studiesfather-engagement father-involvement-in-child-welfare new-resource
National Quality Improvement Center on Non-Resident Fathers and the Child Welfare System, , , ,
research-studies service-approaches-for-fathers-research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement new-resource nonresident-fathers
Child Welfare Practice with Families Affected by Parental Incarceration, ,
service-approaches-for-fathers tools-for-caseworkers informational-brief-memo studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementfoster-care incarceration
Do Dads Matter?: Child Welfare Outcomes for Father Identified Famlies, , ,
child-welfare-outcomes importance-of-fathers research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementfoster-care permanency reunification
The X-Y factor: Engaging fathers using the protective factors,
importance-of-fathers research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement protective-factors
Engaging fathers in child welfare services: A narrative review of recent research evidence, ,
practice-challenges service-approaches-for-fathers-research-studies research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementcoparenting father-involvement-in-child-welfare
Engaging fathers, ,
practice-challenges service-approaches-for-fathers-research-studies research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementchild-wellbeing father-child-relationship
Father’s involvement in the lives of children in foster care,
practice-challenges service-approaches-for-fathers-research-studies research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement
A national study of male involvement among families in contact with the child welfare system, ,
practice-challenges service-approaches-for-fathers-research-studies research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementcaseworker-engagement father-involvement-in-child-welfare
Does fathers’ involvement in services affect mothers’ likelihood of reunification with children placed in foster care,
outcomes research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementcoparenting father-involvement-in-child-welfare
Coparenting and Relationship Quality: Effects on Father Engagement, , ,
case-characteristics importance-of-fathers research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementcoparenting father-engagement nonresident-fathers
Father Involvement in Child Welfare: Associations with Changes in Externalizing Behavior
importance-of-fathers research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementfather-involvement-in-child-welfare
Integrating and Sustaining Father Involvement, , , ,
best-practices importance-of-fathers-informational-brief-memo tools-for-caseworkers informational-brief-memo studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementcaseworker-engagement father-involvement-in-child-welfare fatherhood-programs
Father Involvement: Meeting CFSR Standards, , , ,
messages-for-moms service-approaches-for-fathers tools-for-agencies informational-brief-memo studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementcultural-change father-involvement organizational-assessment
ACF Memo: Integrating Approaches that Prioritize and Enhance Father Engagement, ,
importance-of-fathers-informational-brief-memo service-approaches-for-fathers informational-brief-memo studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementfather-engagement programs-for-fathers
Fathers matter involving and engaging fathers in Child Welfare, ,
implications-for-practice research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementagency-perspectives caseworker-engagement father-engagement
Fathers in Child Welfare: Caseworkers Perspectives,
service-approaches-for-fathers-research-studies research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementcaseworker-engagement father-involvement-in-child-welfare
Nonresidential fathers with children in foster care: A descriptive study in the US, ,
research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementcoparenting father-involvement-in-foster-care nonresident-fathers
Fathers as ‘core business’ in child welfare practice and research: An interdisiciplinary review, ,
practice-challenges service-approaches-for-fathers-research-studies research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementfather-involvement-in-child-welfare father-child-relationship
The influence of father involvement on child welfare permanency outcomes: A secondary analysis, ,
outcomes practice-challenges service-approaches-for-fathers-research-studies research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementfather-involvement-in-child-welfare
Nonresident father support and reunification outcomes for children in foster care,
outcomes research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementfather-involvement-in-child-welfare nonresident-fathers
More about the dads: Exploring associations between nonresident father involvement and child welfare case outcomes,
outcomes research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementfather-involvement-in-child-welfare nonresident-fathers
What about the Dads?: Child Welfare Agencies’ Efforts to Identify, Locate, and Involve Nonresident Fathers, , ,
case-characteristics importance-of-fathers research-studies studies-and-memos fatherhood-engagementagency-perspectives father-engagement nonresident-fathers