A STUDY OF SELECT BARRIERS THAT ADVERSELY IMPACT FATHERS' PARTICIPATION AND FAMILY REUNIFICATION OF FOSTER

The purpose ofthe study is to determine in what ways incarceration, undocumented paternity, substance abuse, and parental conflict create barriers to father involvement and family reunification with children in the Georgia foster care system. The study is designed to explore the impact that child welfare workers have on these four major barriers preventing fathers ' lack ofparticipation. The participants of the study are social workers and case managers who work with fathers and their children who are in the custody ofthe Georgia Department of Human Services foster care system. In addition, this study explores ways in which social work practices mandate the importance ofreaching out to fathers in every client's case. As well, consideration is given to the historic, cultural and psychosocial barriers that the child welfare system must address in the family reunification process. Furthermore, this study challenges the child welfare system to offer services and make intentional efforts to engage the fathers ' participation in all aspects oftheir child's case including, but not limited to, assessments, medical treatment and family conferences. Finally, this study further advocates a paradigm shift in the culture ofth