Jenny King and Susan Gasman lead workshop on engaging fathers

Center trainers Jenny King and Susan Gasman presented at the Kempe International Conference on Innovations in Family Engagement in Minneapolis on October 28. Their workshop discussed growing efforts to include fathers in social services and related systems, and the research that demonstrates fathers’ positive impacts on their children’s social and emotional well-being. Through video, activities, and group discussions, Jenny and Susan helped participants learn effective ways of understanding and engaging fathers as a meaningful part of both their children’s lives and within plans made through Family Group Decision Meetings. The workshop was well attended and most attendees expressed great satisfaction with it. In the words of one attendee, “This is a component of our work that needs consistent focus until practice gets to where it needs to be.”