Engaging Fathers
In January 2008, Indiana was named one of four states to receive a grant from the National Quality Improvement Center on Non-Resident Fathers (QIC). This grant supports a program which engages non-resident fathers whose children have been removed from their home and are currently involved in the child welfare system.
The Indiana Department of Child Services, for the purposes of this grant, defines a non-resident father as a biological father who did not live in the home at the time of removal. The father must be contacted within 45 days of the removal by a Fathers and Families male staff member in Marion County, Indianapolis, Indiana.
DCS is collaborating with Fathers and Families Resource/Research Center, Inc., the Indiana University School of Social Work, and Indiana Child Support Bureau. Collaborative Partner Roles.
Fathers involved in the intervention group are offered a 20 week curriculum covering some of the following topics:
- Legal navigation
- Child Welfare Planning
- Co-Parenting Skills
- Making Visitation Court
- Child Support
The grant period is January 2008-May 2011 in Marion County, Indianapolis, Indiana. The other three grants were awarded to Colorado Department of Human Services (El Paso County), Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (Tarrant County), and Washington Division of Children and Family Services of the Department of Social and Health Services (King County).
Stay Connected
- Make a child abuse or neglect report
- Leave my infant at a safe place (Safe Haven Law)
- Get help for a child or family in my community (Community Partners)
- Find my Local DCS Office and Director
- Contact my Regional Manager
- Give money to the Kids First Trust Fund
- Contact a representative of DCS regarding child protection
- Apply for a Job with DCS
- Find the guidelines for Child Support
- Collect or pay child support
- Establish Paternity
- Contact a Child Support Representative
