“They don't trust me”: Service providers reflections of father-centric treatment and engagement

Objective: This study sought to illuminate the barriers service providers experience in delivering healing services to enhance father and child well-being. Background: Manifestations of structural barriers, such as racism, mother-centric practices, and disproportionate incarceration among Black and Brown fathers prevail. Little is known, however, about how providers describe barriers they encounter toward engaging fathers in services to equip them with the capacity to coparent effectively. Method: A convenience sample of providers (n = 24) representing a diverse array of child and family service systems responded to questions from a semistructured interview guide. Thematic analyses were conducted to describe how providers engage with fathers and their perceptions of barriers related to their ability to engage them in services. Results: Findings revealed three types of barriers, each representing a separate theme: micro (biases, colorblindness), societal (devaluation of fathers' role), and systemic (racism, mother-centrism). Strategies to address barriers included implementing strengths-based practices, creating spaces to engage in reflexivity, and investing in father-centric programming. Most strategies involved modifying the micro context, conveying that future efforts should focus on developing procedures and policies that will enhance micro practices. Conclusion: This study captured the experiences of change agents and healers working with fathers and families. Their experiences illuminate obstacles they must contend with at the micro, societal, and systemic levels of practice. Implications: Providers indicated that fathers will not benefit from services unless organizations embrace father-centric, strength-based healing practices and allocate space to engage in reflexivity about biases and the impact of systemic racism.