1. Problem Summary
Staff are not consistently engaging fathers and father figures, resulting in missed opportunities to strengthen child and family outcomes.
2. Root Cause
Limited knowledge of father-inclusive practices, unconscious bias, low confidence in engagement strategies, and inconsistent application across services.
3. Target Audience
Child welfare professionals, family navigators, case managers, respite providers, and other staff who work directly with children and families.
4. Desired Behaviors
Actively include fathers and father figures in communication, assessment, planning, and decision-making using respectful, strengths-based engagement techniques.
5. Measurable Outcomes
Learners will identify barriers to father engagement, apply at least three evidence-based engagement strategies, recognize personal biases, and demonstrate appropriate responses in realistic scenarios with 80% or higher on the final assessment.
Solution:
Self-Paced E-Learning (10-15 minutes)
Learning Objectives (Bloom's Taxonomy)
Identify at least three barriers that prevent effective engagement of fathers and father figures in family services. (Remember/Understand)
Recognize opportunities to include fathers and father figures using strengths-based, inclusive communication in everyday interactions. (Understand)
Select the most effective engagement strategy when presented with a brief workplace scenario involving a father or father figure. (Apply)
Demonstrate one respectful, father-inclusive communication technique that encourages participation in child and family planning. (Apply)
Commit to one specific action they will implement in their next interaction to increase father engagement. (Apply/Affective Domain)
Results:
Knowledge
Staff demonstrate a stronger understanding of why engaging fathers and father figures is critical to positive child and family outcomes.
Confidence
Learners report increased confidence using father-inclusive communication and engagement strategies during family interactions.
Behavior Change
Staff consistently invite, involve, and communicate with fathers and father figures throughout assessment, planning, and service delivery.
Service Delivery
Father engagement becomes a more consistent part of case management, resulting in more collaborative family-centered services.
Organizational Impact
Increased compliance with family engagement best practices and a more inclusive organizational culture that values the role of fathers.
Learning: At least 90% of learners complete the course with a score of 80% or higher on the knowledge assessment.
Behavior: Within 60–90 days, supervisors observe increased use of father-inclusive practices during case reviews or field observations.
Application: Staff self-report implementing at least one new father engagement strategy within 30 days of course completion.
Business Impact: Increase in documented father or father figure participation in family meetings, case planning, or service activities compared to baseline data.
Learner Satisfaction: Average course rating of 4.5/5 or higher for relevance, usefulness, and confidence gained.
