Mar. 3, 2017 Never Giving Up- Breakthrough, Los Angeles, CA
Featured platinum Sponsor
THE LAW OFFICE OF JEFFERY M. LEVING
18th Annual Families and Fathers National Conference FEB. 28, - Mar. 3, 2017 Never Giving UpBreakthrough, Los Angeles, CA For an Initial Consultation, please call
312-356-DADS 19 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60603 JEFFERY M. LEVING - ATTORNEY AT LAW Recognized as a Leading Family Law and Trial Attorney Named one of “America’s Best Lawyers” by Forbes Radio Leving’s book, How to be a Good Divorced Dad, received praise from President Obama, and was endorsed by Cardinal Francis George Helped Reunite Elian Gonzalez with his Father in Cuba Co-Authored the Illinois Joint Custody Law Testified before U.S. Commission on Child & Family Welfare & Illinois Senate Committee on Divorce Law & Procedure RECIPIENT: Award of Merit from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
www.Dadsrights.com Follow Our Victories!
WELCOME FROM PRESIDENT AND CEO JAMES C. RODRÍGUEZ Being the champion of change you wish to see in the world takes us to breaking points. However, as our conference theme suggests, the fortitude in Never Giving Up, I can attest to each of you…a Breakthrough will happen. After each breakthrough comes new opportunities that bring new breaking points in the continuous process of change. How we handle both the breakthroughs and breaking points is greatly determined by our growth as professionals, leaders, personally and as parents. We are committed to each of your success and hope that by attending the 18th Annual Families & Fathers National Conference (February 27 – March 3), we will give all attendees new breakthroughs, experiences, tools
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and resources.
In 2017, our conference will introduce special training programs founded on evidence-based interventions, emerging
models and resources. The pressures of new millennial families are different than they were 20 years ago, when Fathers & Families Coalition was created to address the needs of young parents. Now, the weight of the challenges for moms and dads has increased and, the emergence of the “fatherhood practitioner” professional, there is still a great need to address not only father absence, but the pressures of strengthening families. The pressures have led to more and more two-generation family homes, single/young fathers raising their children alone and how to work with families and communities in consistent stressful weight beyond individual capacity. However, I am always surprised by the countless stories and breakthroughs shared by those who have taken the pressures of life and breaking points and never gave up. I desire that each one of you who attends can use this conference week to take off some of the weights and strengthen yourselves because this is a time for you.
I believe the planning team and leaders have supported our program to seek out a series of parent-centered workshops
that are exceptional! The response from the creative workshops with colleagues throughout the United States will support our abilities to make a difference for those emptied and depleted. With empowering effective strategies, all attendees will benefit from what these amazing presenters will provide. Each year, I am so honored by the caring presenters and exceptional plenary speakers. In 2017, we have international experts to address two primary goals of strengthening families and improving outcomes for children. We also have four plenaries and our annual gala awards ceremony scheduled, intentionally, for you to fill yourself and examine how to use their experiences, research and policies developed with the simplistic sharing of breaking through obstacles. I know what each speaker will bring in terms of exceptional, inspirational and thought-provoking keynotes, which we purposefully combined to prepare each attendee to leave this conference with a new experience and increase of tenacity
All that we offer could not happen without the support of volunteers, Members of the Board of Directors and our
champions for families who provided financial sponsorship and, ultimately, your investment to attend. I look forward to greeting and serving you at our 18th Annual Families & Fathers National Conference in Los Angeles, providing new paradigm shifts, reinforcement and one of the greatest experiences for you, parents, professionals and leaders.
Monday February 27th
9:00am- 5:00pm
The National Fatherhood Practitioner Certificate Gateway Ballroom
D.I.S.C-overing Your Personality DNA Salon 214
Home Run Dads Curricula Training Seminar Room-2nd Floor
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Marriage Assessment Training Salon 205
Developing A Fatherhood Model That Works! Salon 201
Love Notes: Relationship Skills for Love, Life and Work Salon 210
Skill Sets: Healthy Minds-Overcoming Trauma in Life and Relationships Laguna Room
Tuesday February 28th 9:00am- 10:30am OPENING GENERAL SESSION: BE THE CHANGE -SOCIAL JUSTICE Grand Ballroom
Our Opening Plenary Session that have a focus on adverse child experiences, foster-care systems, toxic stress, trauma informed care and other meaningful content to address Father Engagement in the Child Welfare systems and other systems of care. This is an important opportunity for attendees to learn from and connect to national leaders on individual and child-wellness. PLENARY SPEAKERS Debra Samples, Washington, D.C. Regional Program Manager US Department of Health and Human Services Nicole Wood, MPH, MA, Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships Elizabeth Lower-Basch, MA, Washington, D.C Policy Coordinator and Director The Center for Law and Social Policy, Inc. Moderator Hon. Arthur L. Burnett Sr., Judge (ret), Washington, D.C National African American Drug Policy Council
Tuesday February 28th 10:30am- 12:00pm BASIC CONCEPTS IN EFFECTIVE PARENT/CHILD COMMUNICATION Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: This seminar is for parents, Head Start staff and beginning family service workers, as well as teachers that will introduce them to some basic concepts of effective communication. PRESENTER: Renata Valree, Lancaster, California COFFEE AT THE CAFÉ Grand Ballroom A
Workshop Description: Come join us for a quick overview of the Dad Cafe process developed by Be Strong Families and implemented by the Focus on Fatherhood Network. PRESENTER: Brian Williams, Mobley, Missouri CONNECTING THE CHILD WITH THE NATURAL WORLD AROUND US Page | 5
Grand Ballroom F
Workshop Description: As the title of the workshop suggests, we believe that fathers are the child’s ambassador in connecting them to nature and the outside world. PRESENTER: Jorge Mayorga, Milwaukee, Wisconsin DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE MYTH ABOUT FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE Laguna Room
Workshop Description: By focusing on prisoner reform and ex-offender reentry, we are helping to reunite families, make our streets safer, and reduce the number of people in the prison system. PRESENTERS: Phyllis P. McNeal, Beverly Locke, Daril Manning, Tyrone Hardison-Corona, California ENGAGING HOMELESS DADS ENGAGE, RELATE AND RELIEVE! Redondo Room
Workshop Description: Participants will learn how to successfully engage this population and develop programming that will not only address the homelessness of the man, but also assist him with the rigors of being a dad at the same time. PRESENTER: Michael Thomas, Tampa, Florida FATHERHOOD INTEGRATION WITHIN CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY-FOCUSED AGENCIES Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: The proposed training will emphasize the importance of fathers in advancing child well-being and explores critical components for positioning children, and youth and family-focused agencies to expand capacity to improve outcomes for children by encouraging agency leadership to consider innovative strategies to expand their philosophies, policies, practices, procedures and protocols to endorse the involvement of fathers as additional support in the care of their children. PRESENTER:
Dr. Rufus Sylvester Lynch, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
MENTORING FATHERS AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES: MAKING THE U-TURN Malibu Room
Workshop Description: Successful Program model using Best Practices curriculum developed by Healthy Marriage and Fatherhood research to create a Wrap-Around Mentoring program to meet the needs of fathers. PRESENTER:
George Casey, Birmingham, Alabama
TRAIN UP A CHILD Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: This workshop will help to develop healthy methods of discipline and training that will equip children with good interpersonal and intra-personal relationship skills, good problem solving skills, as well as the ability to effectively process success and failures. PRESENTER: Allen McCray, Ph.D. Life Impact, Humacao, Puerto Rico
Tuesday February 28th
1:30pm- 3:00pm
BEST PRACTICES FOR GETTING PARENTS ON BOARD Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: This workshop is based on a synthesis of research-based strategies and practices proven to increase parental engagement in schools and other settings. PRESENTER: Dr. Nicole Scott & Dr. Michael Coleman, Pine Hill, New Jersey FROM TRAUMA TO DRAMA TO A LITTLE BIT CALMER Redondo Room
Workshop Description: This session explores the impact of trauma on fathers and the added daily drama (stressors) to assist fathers in becoming more effective by increasing their calm. PRESENTER: Dr. George R. Williams, Prairie Village, Kansas Page | 6
GO FISH! Malibu Room
Workshop Description: This fun, interactive, multimedia workshop will provide a set of simple team building philosophy and practical tools to help create a positive environment and culture for family. It is a way to build stronger relationships that equip everyone to face challenges more effectively. PRESENTER: Dr. Lee Ho, Santa Fe Springs, California HEALING JOURNEYS: SURVIVING FAMILY VIOLENCE Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: An overview of personal experiences as a child in a family of seven children surviving family violence. A collection of memories in a book titled, Healing Journeys: Surviving Family Violence by members of her family. Speaker will review the steps to MAKE A STAND AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE PRESENTER: Lupe Valdez, Corpus Cristi, Texas HOW TO BUILD A FATHERS PROGRAM IN YOUR COMMUNITY Laguna Room
Workshop Description: This workshop will give participants knowledge on creating and developing a community based Fathers Program. It will explain how to recruit the fathers in your area to learn the principals on taking ownership and build an organization they own and run. PRESENTER: Walter Simpkins and D.C. LESSONS FROM JAMAICA- CENTRALITY OF FAMILY IN COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: PRESENTER: Dr. Michael Coombs and Carol Coombs, Kingston, Jamaica LET’S TALK EVALUATION: HIGH QUALITY PROJECTS IN FATHERHOOD PROGRAMS Grand Ballroom A
Workshop Description: This workshop will offer attendees an overview of the strategies and best practices for conducting evaluation research in fatherhood programs. This introductory course will introduce the main types of research designs and highlight commonly used outcome measures. PRESENTER: Rebecca Kaufman, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tuesday February 28th
3:15pm- 4:45pm
7 STEPS TO RAISING A HIGH ACHIEVER Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: This presentation will teach step-by-step strategies that parents can immediately implement at home to help their children prepare for a competitive future in college and in the job market, starting at a very early age. PRESENTER: Dr. Nicoline Ambe, Carson, California SUPPORTING ACADEMICS, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: This workshop provides stakeholders with an understanding of what is required to implement a successful school and community partnership. PRESENTER: Dr. LaWanda Clark, Memphis, Tennessee Page | 7
FINANCIAL FITNESS: MANAGING & TRACKING CHILD SUPPORT Laguna Room
Workshop Description: This workshop will focus on how to best manage and track your child support payments and how co-parents can work together to share expenses in easy, simple and safe ways. PRESENTER: Sheri Atwood, Santa Clara, California HOW TO FIND PEACE IN YOUR LIFE Redondo Room
Workshop Description: This workshop will share some evidence-based strategies to enhance the participant’s ability to find inner peace and rejuvenate their soul. PRESENTER: Dr. Tony Wu, Santa Fe Springs, California PARENTING SKILLS IN THE AGE OF NETWORKS Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: This workshop, based on the popular “Breakthrough Parenting” methodology, teaches parents and those working with parents the various parenting styles so that they can then transform into a modern-day parent able to guide their child or children into a complicated world of networks and technology. PRESENTER: Plinio Garcia, Marina Del Rey, California UNDERSTANDING & OVERCOMING ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES Seminar Room 2nd Floor
Workshop Description: Learn how to help clients overcome the effects of childhood trauma. Discover what it means to be “Trauma-informed and Beyond” in your professional and personal life. You will learn how persistent stress affects a person physically, emotionally, cogniti33vely and spiritually. PRESENTER: Dave Lockridge, Atwater, California UNPACKING THE PARENTING TOOLBOX TO ELEVATE FAMILIES & CHILDREN Malibu Room
Workshop Description: We present the core tools of the Global Parenting Toolbox. Parenting has traditionally been a behavior or engagement based on instinct and passive knowledge. This toolbox is designed to reduce the instinctual behavior of parents with a somewhat new game plan of tools to consciously function as the best purpose driven parent on earth. PRESENTER:
Gregory Johnson, Cleveland, Ohio Tuesday February 28th
5:00pm- 7:00pm
HOSTED OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION- MEET THE AUTHORS SCREENING OF “DADDY DON’T GO” Grand Ballroom
Wednesday March 1st
9:00am- 10:30pm
GENERAL SESSION: NEXT STEP - NEW MILLENNIAL MODELS Grand Ballroom
This is a rare moment that three leaders from the Administration for Children and Families come at one setting to address strengthening families and improving outcomes for children during our Wednesday, March 1st morning plenary session. PLENARY SPEAKERS Carlis V. Williams, Atlanta, Georgia Regional Administrator - Administration for Children and Families - Region 4 Yvette Hilderson Riddick, Washington, D.C. Director of the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement’s Division of Policy Charisse Johnson, Washington, D.C. Branch Chief of the Office of Family Assistance -Administration for Children and Families
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Moderator Hon. Arthur L. Burnett Sr., Judge (ret), Washington, D.C. National African American Drug Policy Council
Wednesday March 1st
10:30am- 12:00pm
#KIDSNEED2: POSITIVE CO-PARENTING STRATEGIES TO EMPOWER POSITIVE CHILDREN Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: The #KidsNeed2 workshop will identify common practices and behaviors by unmarried parents that have a negative impact on children and often lead to low academic achievement, psychological transference and trauma-based behaviors. PRESENTER: Alexis Dobbins, Upper Marlboro, Maryland BENEPHILLY: COLLECTIVE IMPACT ON FAMILIES’ ACCESS TO BENEFITS Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: This workshop will focus, specifically, on how Philadelphia expanded access to public benefits for fathers and families using collective impact and share lessons learned in implementing the Shared Prosperity program. PRESENTER: Sulaiman Wood, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania DISCIPLINE: A NEW LOOK AT AN OLD PARENTAL CHALLENGE Malibu Room
Workshop Description: In this presentation, we will pull the lens way back and take a fresh look at discipline and behavior management. “Discipline”, from “disciple”, means to guide, to teach, to lead. Attendees will learn a new, expanded view of the philosophy of discipline and the exact tools. PRESENTER: Mark Perlman, Sarasota, Florida DEBT FORGIVENESS IS FOR REAL! Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement will share information about state debt forgiveness programs and best practices, and to encourage fatherhood practitioners to spread the word. PRESENTERS:
Callen Kurpinsky, San Francisco, California Vernon Wallace, Baltimore, Maryland Tywanna Taylor, Annapolis, Maryland Amy Burgoon, Topeka, Kansas Robert Jones, Sacramento, California
HOW TO AVOID MARRYING A JERK (OR JERKETTE) Laguna Room
Workshop Description: An overview of the evidenced-based PICK (Premarital Interpersonal Choices & Knowledge) Certification Course. This workshop presents a fun and lively overview of the PICK course which integrates existing research on partner selection and healthy relationship development. PRESENTER: John Van Epp, PhD., San Clemente, California YOUNG FATHERS: POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS Grand Ballroom F
Workshop Description: This session will discuss newly released policy recommendations from the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) for child welfare systems to better engage, support and serve young fathers, their children and families. PRESENTER: Lisa Primus, New York City, New York James Rodríguez, Rancho Cucamonga, California Page | 10
RAISING CONFIDENT, COMPETENT CHILDREN POSITIVE PARENTING SOLUTIONS Redondo Room
Workshop Description: Raising confident, competent children introduces parents to the six building blocks children need to do well in life. PRESENTER: Johnnie Chavis, Jennings, Louisiana THE 4 KEYS OF TRAUMA INFORMED CARE Salon 210
Workshop Description: Without awareness of how to address trauma in our organizations, services can be largely ineffective and can inadvertently continue to cause injury. A trauma informed approach focuses on creating a culture of healing within the structure of the organization. PRESENTER: Dr. Carolyn Curtis, Sacramento, California
Wednesday March 1st
12:00pm- 1:30pm
INTERNATIONAL PLENARY PANEL TURNING COMMUNITIES OF TRAUMA INTO EMPOWERMENT AND PROSPERITY Plenary Sessions- Grand Ballroom Description: Disparities in the United States exists internationally and our, Turning Communities of Trauma into Empowerment and Prosperity brings an international team of physicians, criminologist and maternal and child health experts together for a powerful panel. Dr. Delores Gordon Alleyne, MD Save Our Sons- Los Angeles, California Dr. Michael Coombs, MD National Association for the Family-Kingston, Jamaica Dr. Obie Clayton Clark Atlanta University-Atlanta, Georgia Dr. Shin Margaret Chao Maternal Child and Adolescent Health - County of Los Angeles MODERATOR: Dr. Rufus Sylvester Lynch, ACSW The Strong Families Commission Incorporated – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wednesday March 1st
1:30pm- 3:00pm
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUTH & ADULTS WHO OFFEND Laguna Room
Workshop Description: Workshop attendees will learn the difference between youth who have made sexual mistakes and the adults that continue to violate the sexual boundaries of others. PRESENTER: Hiram Rivera-Toro, LMFT – Rancho Cucamonga, California THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURAL VALUES, PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES IN FAMILIES Malibu Room
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Workshop Description This lively, interactive, multimedia workshop assists participants in gaining a deeper understanding of culture and its unmistakable importance to the family. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to reexamine their core values and principles as they relate to family cultural practices. PRESENTER: Achebe Hoskins – Oakland, California FATHERHOOD AND CHILD SUPPORT COLLABORATION: NEW MILLENNIUM MODELS Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement with The Office of Family Assistance will share an overview of fatherhood/child support collaboration (past and present), share successes and describe current collaborations. The history of demonstration projects has proved the effectiveness of fatherhood and child support collaboration. Speakers will share the evolution, successes, and current collaborations. PRESENTER: James Murray, Washington, D.C. Charisse Johnson, Washington, D.C. Clarence Burge, Atlanta, Georgia Veronica Ragland, Phoenix, Arizona LEGACY MINDED MENTORING – STANDING IN THE GAP Grand Ballroom F
Workshop Description: Mentoring is essential for boys to grow into strong men. Legacy Minded Mentoring is a mentor training program that enables mentors to get the tools and confidence they need, not only to mentor their own children, but also other boys in need. PRESENTER: Juan Garcia, Patterson, New Jersey OUT OF THE ASHES: WHERE A SEED FINDS LIFE Redondo Room
Workshop Description: Out of the Ashes is an original and authentic drama therapy presentation. The workshop is based upon the strategy used by real life father (Coley Harris) and son (Ahmarr Melton) to heal and re-establish their relationship after a 14-year separation due to incarceration. PRESENTER: Coley and Patty Harris, Newark, Delaware PARENTING – KEYS TO RAISING RESPONSIBLE KIDS Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: In this workshop, you will discover key parenting insights vital for every parent, social worker and educator to know. PRESENTER: Luke Nelson, Mill Creek, Washington THE FAMILY CIRCLE - HELPING BLENDED FAMILIES FIND THEIR FOCUS Grand Ballroom A
Workshop Description This workshop will provide information on how parents of blended families can better focus on raising emotionally healthy children and veer away from “Baby Mama Drama” and “Deadbeat Dad” issues. PRESENTER:
Shaynel Caldwell, Capital Heights, Maryland
Wednesday March 1st
3:15pm- 4:45pm
LEVERAGE YOUR POTENTIAL: CERTIFIED FATHERHOOD LIFE COACH Seminar Room 2nd Floor
Workshop Description: Fathers & Families Coalition of America, in collaboration with Life Impact, LLC, have come together to blend evidence-based interventions, extensive experience training fatherhood practitioners and assurance of a quality training that goes beyond certification into another level, dimension and growth of purpose. PRESENTER: James Rodríguez and Allen McCray, PhD
TITLE: EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS: WHY AREN’T FATHERS PARTICIPATING? Redondo Room
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Workshop Description: U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement will provide best practices for employment programs that struggle with finding and keeping participants. Speakers will share creative ways to recruit, engage, and graduate fathers. PRESENTERS: Veronica Ragland, Phoenix, Arizona Rebecca Kaufman, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Guy Bowling, Minneapolis, Minnesota Walter Simpkins, Schenectady, NY D.C. Dunkel, Schenectady, NY PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF FATHERHOOD THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORK MAPPING Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: The workshop is designed to offer strategies on the development and implementation of parenting methodologies that equip families to manage existing contextual settings related to race, socioeconomic status and educational opportunities from an asset-based approach. PRESENTER: Matthew Lee, Memphis, Tennessee
FATHERS AS ROLE MODELS: HEALTHY EATING HABITS FOR HEALTHY KIDS Laguna Room
Workshop Description: Our simple, evidence-based presentation explains the difference between healthy and unhealthy eating habits and how to make affordable choices for a family. PRESENTER: Dr. Alexander Khananashvilli, Santa Fe Springs, California
HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN ACQUIRE SELF-MANAGEMENT, MOTIVATION AND RESPONSIVE BEHAVIOR SKILLS Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: Changes in today’s world present us with challenges we must address positively so we can guide our children to have fruitful lives. In this workshop, participants will explore and practice techniques and tools for adults to help children become self-managers. PRESENTER: Maria Escude Reifler, Santa Fe Springs, California
KEYS TO CREATING BALANCE AS A PARENT Malibu Room Workshop Description: This presentation offers parents detailed information that they can implement at home to find balance between work, life and parenting so that they can spend more valuable time with their children. PRESENTER: Dr. Nicoline Ambe, Carson, California
LEADING YOUR FAMILY FROM SURVIVAL TO SUCCESS Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: Leading your family to success does not have to be a mystery. In fact, this workshop will give you a roadmap to follow to take your family, as a unit and each member in it, and push your God given gifts to the limit. PRESENTER:
TQ, Senkungu, El Segundo, California
MY CHILD’S BRAIN, FROM BIRTH TO FIVE Grand Ballroom A
Workshop Description: This workshop provides important information about how a young child’s brain ‘wires up,’ as well as practical methods for stimulating healthy early brain development for later success in school. PRESENTER: Dr. Patsy Brown, Moreno Valley, California
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THE NEW COMMUNITY: BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITY ACROSS GENERATIONS Seminar Room 2nd Floor
Workshop Description: This workshop is designed for professionals and parents to define the major difference between Millennials and the previous generation, understand the opportunities and challenges facing us as we work to build community and strategies for building a healthy and growing cross-generational community. PRESENTER: Dr. Anthony Randall, St Petersburg, Florida
Thursday March 2nd
9:00am- 10:30am
GENERAL SESSION: #NEVER GIVING UP-BREAKTHROUGH 2017 Every attendee come seeking something to maximize and or improve professional development, organizational capacity or even self. And, everyone has overcome adversity. We close our conference with tremendous, profound and rare motivational speakers that can not only inspire any audience while igniting a powerful desire to go deeper in the process to improve their performance. Plenary Sessions Grand Ballroom Dr. Adam Ybarra, San Jose, California The Tenacious Group Inc. Joe Pellegrino, Lincoln Park, New Jersey Legacy Minded Men James C. Rodríguez, Rancho Cucamonga, California Fathers & Families Coalition of America
Thursday March, 2nd
10:30am- 4:30pm
CONTINUES FRIDAY
9:00am – 2:00pm
Nurturing Father Training for Trainers Seminar Room 2nd floor The Nurturing Father’s Program is recognized by SAMHSA National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices as a proven effective curriculum that teaches nurturing attitudes and skills to men.
Thursday March, 2nd
10:30pm- 12:00pm
ANALYZING WAYS FATHERS CAN CULTIVATE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: The quality of our relationships with others largely depends on the effort put forth, or lack of effort put forth to strengthen it. Our discussion will examine elements of unhealthy relationships and contrast them with healthy relationships. PRESENTER: Marsalis Antony Taylor, Trenton, New Jersey ENGAGING FATHERS AS STAKEHOLDERS IN CHILDREN’S ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Grand Ballroom C
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Workshop Description: The workshop presenter will use a creative methodology concentrating on challenging personal values and beliefs in conjunction with parent stakeholders to create better academic outcomes in children. PRESENTER: Dwayne Meeks, Denver, Colorado F.A.C.E. I.T FAMILY AWARENESS CRISIS EDUCATION INTERVENTION AND TRAINING Malibu Room
Workshop Description: During this session, participants will learn: 1) Approach to engaging the community with respect to planning town hall meetings. 2) Key takeaways from parents and community members during each of the town hall meetings. 3) Implications for future work with low-income parents and communities. PRESENTER: Grace Crockett, Maricopa, Arizona FATHERHOOD INTEGRATION WITHIN CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY-FOCUSED AGENCIES Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: The workshop will be led by national thoughtful leaders and undergirded by child and family research findings; consideration of family strengthening public policy, past and present; practice enhancement techniques for engaging fathers; as well as the identification of individual and organizational needs to improve outcomes for children going forward. PRESENTER: Dr. Rufus Sylvester Lynch, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO MORE FATHERING TIME Grand Ballroom A
Workshop Description: Parenting in Partnership (PIP) is a positive co-parenting pilot. The goal of PIP is to offer services and supports that foster strong parenting partnerships between custodial and noncustodial parents while securing the stability of families through employment, child support payments and housing. PRESENTER: Sandra Bryant, St. Louis, Missouri RESPONSIBLE MEN: KEEPING THE TRADITION ALIVE, GENERATION TO GENERATION Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: : Today, it “appears” that no one is reaching back or “paying it forward” in meaningful ways. That everyone is out for themselves. That our youth are lost or disinterested. This Round Table Forum will prove these assumptions to be far from the truth. PRESENTERS: Stephen Browning, Tempe, Arizona and Lisa Tillman Page, Atlanta, Georgia SUPER GLUE YOUR LOVE RELATIONSHIP - GROW AND STAY TOGETHER Laguna Room
Workshop Description: This session will focus on the “SUPER GLUE” elements to help bond and grow the love relationship of both married and unmarried couples. This session will examine how the main ingredients of faith, trust and love will form the “super glue” to help keep relationships from becoming separated when facing life’s storms. PRESENTER:
Kevin Toney, Porter Ranch, California
TITLE: PARENTING IN A VIOLENT WORLD: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE FIELD Location Malibu Room
Description: Most urban children, by the time they enter high school, have seen the use of weapons, guns or other acts of violence against people in their neighborhood, school or home. PRESENTER: Patrick Patterson, Fairfax, Virginia
Lunch Noon to 1:00p.m. Thursday March, 2nd 1:00pm- 2:30pm
RESEARCH, SERVICE & POLICY CHANGE EFFORTS TO SUPPORT LOW-INCOME FATHERS Malibu Room
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Workshop Description: This workshop includes distinguished researchers in the areas of community-based participatory research, policy (advocacy) and service approaches focused on fathers. PRESENTER: Dr. Latrice Rollins, Atlanta, Georgia Dr. Petrice Sams-Abiodun, New Orleans, Louisiana
DATA MANAGEMENT WITH CHILDPLUS Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: In this session, participants will learn how to collect data and use reports, design new data tracking modules, set up email notifications, improve data tracking for teacher-child interactions and family goal-oriented relationships and improve policies and procedures. PRESENTER: Carolyn Heyliger-Graham, Atlanta, Georgia
EFFECTIVE & HEALTHY STRATEGIES FOR CO-PARENTING Laguna Room
Workshop Description: This workshop is based upon the strategies and principles that I have used in my book, Winning the Baby Mama Drama Dilemma. PRESENTER: Leopole McLaughlin
FROM THE INSIDE OUT Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: This workshop is designed to engage and equip individuals and the family members of those previously incarcerated by helping them to identify their gifts, talents and innate resources and capacity. PRESENTERS: Sharolyn Payton Cordova, and Lisa D. Page, Atlanta, Georgia
IGNITING HUMAN POTENTIAL: STORYTELLING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE Redondo Room
Workshop Description: This workshop uses case-study examples of how the rising generation is effectively using transmedia and storytelling to breakdown silos, stigmas and social constructs. PRESENTER: Lee Fox, Santa Fe Springs, California
SAVING OUR BOYS- CREATING EFFECTIVE EDUCATIONAL & MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS Salon 205
Workshop Description: This session will provide participants with tools and strategies for fostering healthy relationships with young men and raise awareness that positive relationships improve academic achievement. PRESENTER: Lovelle McMichael, Mesa, Arizona
THE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES PROJECT Salon 210
Workshop Description: Hear and see how California is applying behavioral insights to child support contexts and how the behavioral interventions are expanding our understanding that a person’s actions do not always reflect his or her intentions. The BICS Project seeks to understand child support processes from the user’s perspective. PRESENTER: Lori Cruz, J.D., Stockton, California TRUE LEADERSHIP- LEAVING A LEGACY-THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED Salon 214
Workshop Description: This workshop focuses on Leadership Principles that can be used in any organization. This is for Leaders who are teachable, willing and open to continuous learning. PRESENTER: Nick Bravo, Upland California USING HIP-HOP TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH, MANHOOD AND RELATIONSHIPS Page | 16
Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: This workshop will use hip-hop to discuss the values, roles, expectation, struggles and opportunities of manhood and teaching it to our sons. PRESENTER: Dr. Obari Adéye Cartman, Richton Park, Illinois
Thursday March, 2nd
2:45pm- 4:15pm
FATHERHOOD THE MOVEMENT: AN UNTAPPED NATURAL RESOURCE Laguna Room
Workshop Description: Participants will assess and evaluate themselves and their program, discuss and learn strategies for initiating communication with men / fathers, and finally, techniques for engaging fathers in the education of their children will be discussed and shared. PRESENTER: Christopher Chambers, Saint Louis, Missouri INNOVATIVE CHILD SUPPORT STRATEGY TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: This workshop will discuss innovative approaches to the establishment and enforcement of child support that foster healthy relationships by strengthening families and communities. PRESENTER: Lisl King Williams, J.D., Saint Louis, Missouri ONE BIG HAPPY “BLENDED FAMILY:” HELPING FATHERS CO-PARENT EFFECTIVELY Workshop Description: This workshop is presented by the National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families, a federal initiative that promotes the integration of healthy relationship skills into social service delivery systems as part of a holistic approach to strengthening families. PRESENTER:
Robyn Cenizal with Eugene Schneeberg-Fairfax, Virginia
SELECTED TRIPLE P: THE POWER OF POSITIVE PARENTING Salon 214
Workshop Description: Selected Triple P is designed primarily as a universal parenting support strategy, but it may also be implemented as an early intervention strategy for parents whose children currently have, or are at risk of developing, behavioral or emotional problems. PRESENTER: Nicole Hall Alexandria, Louisiana SKILL SETS: HEALTHY MINDS Salon 201
Workshop Description: Experiences in Life and Relationships. The workshop introduces a simple trauma awareness program that can be implemented in your marriage, parenting or fatherhood program taught by paraprofessionals and professionals. PRESENTER: Carolyn Rich Curtis, Ph.D., Sacramento, California
THE BEAUTIFUL BILINGUAL MIND- FOR SELF-AWARENESS & RESILIENCY Salon 210
Workshop Description: Workshop the National Institute for Mental Health cites that 1 in 5 individuals lives with a mental health condition. Additional research explores the extensive benefits of bilingualism (including, but not limited to, improved academic performance, cognitive reserves, enhanced cultural sensitivity and employment opportunities). PRESENTERS: Kristal Wortham with Khaalid Lucas, Washington, District of Columbia THE BLACK FAMILY BUSINESS: A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE Malibu Room
Workshop Description: Starting and owning a business can provide a family with a financial foundation. This is an underutilized avenue within the African-American community, where unemployment remains higher than for any other demographic in the nation. PRESENTER: Dr. Teresa Merriweather Orok, Huntsville, Alabama Sharon Brooks Hodge Martinsville, Virginia Page | 17
TODAY ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DO MATTER Salon 205
Workshop Description: This workshop will explore and inform issues of academic challenges, behavior issues and the development of positive relationships with peers, parents, caretakers, teachers, and mentors. We will engage in discussion about how emotional stability develops and influences child development and can be rebuilt. PRESENTER:
Dr. Alexina Hazzard Inglewood, California Thursday March, 2nd
6:00pm- 6:30pm
NATIONAL GALA RECEPTION/NETWORKING Join us from 6:00p.m. to 6:30p.m. for networking as we prepare to host the Annual Drs. Ramon & Yolanda Nieves Family Affair Red Tie/Red-Dress Gala
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THE LAW OFFICE OF JEFFERY M. LEVING
18th Annual Families and Fathers National Conference FEB. 28, - Mar. 3, 2017 Never Giving UpBreakthrough, Los Angeles, CA For an Initial Consultation, please call
312-356-DADS 19 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60603 JEFFERY M. LEVING - ATTORNEY AT LAW Recognized as a Leading Family Law and Trial Attorney Named one of “America’s Best Lawyers” by Forbes Radio Leving’s book, How to be a Good Divorced Dad, received praise from President Obama, and was endorsed by Cardinal Francis George Helped Reunite Elian Gonzalez with his Father in Cuba Co-Authored the Illinois Joint Custody Law Testified before U.S. Commission on Child & Family Welfare & Illinois Senate Committee on Divorce Law & Procedure RECIPIENT: Award of Merit from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
www.Dadsrights.com Follow Our Victories!
WELCOME FROM PRESIDENT AND CEO JAMES C. RODRÍGUEZ Being the champion of change you wish to see in the world takes us to breaking points. However, as our conference theme suggests, the fortitude in Never Giving Up, I can attest to each of you…a Breakthrough will happen. After each breakthrough comes new opportunities that bring new breaking points in the continuous process of change. How we handle both the breakthroughs and breaking points is greatly determined by our growth as professionals, leaders, personally and as parents. We are committed to each of your success and hope that by attending the 18th Annual Families & Fathers National Conference (February 27 – March 3), we will give all attendees new breakthroughs, experiences, tools
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and resources.
In 2017, our conference will introduce special training programs founded on evidence-based interventions, emerging
models and resources. The pressures of new millennial families are different than they were 20 years ago, when Fathers & Families Coalition was created to address the needs of young parents. Now, the weight of the challenges for moms and dads has increased and, the emergence of the “fatherhood practitioner” professional, there is still a great need to address not only father absence, but the pressures of strengthening families. The pressures have led to more and more two-generation family homes, single/young fathers raising their children alone and how to work with families and communities in consistent stressful weight beyond individual capacity. However, I am always surprised by the countless stories and breakthroughs shared by those who have taken the pressures of life and breaking points and never gave up. I desire that each one of you who attends can use this conference week to take off some of the weights and strengthen yourselves because this is a time for you.
I believe the planning team and leaders have supported our program to seek out a series of parent-centered workshops
that are exceptional! The response from the creative workshops with colleagues throughout the United States will support our abilities to make a difference for those emptied and depleted. With empowering effective strategies, all attendees will benefit from what these amazing presenters will provide. Each year, I am so honored by the caring presenters and exceptional plenary speakers. In 2017, we have international experts to address two primary goals of strengthening families and improving outcomes for children. We also have four plenaries and our annual gala awards ceremony scheduled, intentionally, for you to fill yourself and examine how to use their experiences, research and policies developed with the simplistic sharing of breaking through obstacles. I know what each speaker will bring in terms of exceptional, inspirational and thought-provoking keynotes, which we purposefully combined to prepare each attendee to leave this conference with a new experience and increase of tenacity
All that we offer could not happen without the support of volunteers, Members of the Board of Directors and our
champions for families who provided financial sponsorship and, ultimately, your investment to attend. I look forward to greeting and serving you at our 18th Annual Families & Fathers National Conference in Los Angeles, providing new paradigm shifts, reinforcement and one of the greatest experiences for you, parents, professionals and leaders.
Monday February 27th
9:00am- 5:00pm
The National Fatherhood Practitioner Certificate Gateway Ballroom
D.I.S.C-overing Your Personality DNA Salon 214
Home Run Dads Curricula Training Seminar Room-2nd Floor
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Marriage Assessment Training Salon 205
Developing A Fatherhood Model That Works! Salon 201
Love Notes: Relationship Skills for Love, Life and Work Salon 210
Skill Sets: Healthy Minds-Overcoming Trauma in Life and Relationships Laguna Room
Tuesday February 28th 9:00am- 10:30am OPENING GENERAL SESSION: BE THE CHANGE -SOCIAL JUSTICE Grand Ballroom
Our Opening Plenary Session that have a focus on adverse child experiences, foster-care systems, toxic stress, trauma informed care and other meaningful content to address Father Engagement in the Child Welfare systems and other systems of care. This is an important opportunity for attendees to learn from and connect to national leaders on individual and child-wellness. PLENARY SPEAKERS Debra Samples, Washington, D.C. Regional Program Manager US Department of Health and Human Services Nicole Wood, MPH, MA, Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships Elizabeth Lower-Basch, MA, Washington, D.C Policy Coordinator and Director The Center for Law and Social Policy, Inc. Moderator Hon. Arthur L. Burnett Sr., Judge (ret), Washington, D.C National African American Drug Policy Council
Tuesday February 28th 10:30am- 12:00pm BASIC CONCEPTS IN EFFECTIVE PARENT/CHILD COMMUNICATION Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: This seminar is for parents, Head Start staff and beginning family service workers, as well as teachers that will introduce them to some basic concepts of effective communication. PRESENTER: Renata Valree, Lancaster, California COFFEE AT THE CAFÉ Grand Ballroom A
Workshop Description: Come join us for a quick overview of the Dad Cafe process developed by Be Strong Families and implemented by the Focus on Fatherhood Network. PRESENTER: Brian Williams, Mobley, Missouri CONNECTING THE CHILD WITH THE NATURAL WORLD AROUND US Page | 5
Grand Ballroom F
Workshop Description: As the title of the workshop suggests, we believe that fathers are the child’s ambassador in connecting them to nature and the outside world. PRESENTER: Jorge Mayorga, Milwaukee, Wisconsin DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE MYTH ABOUT FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE Laguna Room
Workshop Description: By focusing on prisoner reform and ex-offender reentry, we are helping to reunite families, make our streets safer, and reduce the number of people in the prison system. PRESENTERS: Phyllis P. McNeal, Beverly Locke, Daril Manning, Tyrone Hardison-Corona, California ENGAGING HOMELESS DADS ENGAGE, RELATE AND RELIEVE! Redondo Room
Workshop Description: Participants will learn how to successfully engage this population and develop programming that will not only address the homelessness of the man, but also assist him with the rigors of being a dad at the same time. PRESENTER: Michael Thomas, Tampa, Florida FATHERHOOD INTEGRATION WITHIN CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY-FOCUSED AGENCIES Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: The proposed training will emphasize the importance of fathers in advancing child well-being and explores critical components for positioning children, and youth and family-focused agencies to expand capacity to improve outcomes for children by encouraging agency leadership to consider innovative strategies to expand their philosophies, policies, practices, procedures and protocols to endorse the involvement of fathers as additional support in the care of their children. PRESENTER:
Dr. Rufus Sylvester Lynch, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
MENTORING FATHERS AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES: MAKING THE U-TURN Malibu Room
Workshop Description: Successful Program model using Best Practices curriculum developed by Healthy Marriage and Fatherhood research to create a Wrap-Around Mentoring program to meet the needs of fathers. PRESENTER:
George Casey, Birmingham, Alabama
TRAIN UP A CHILD Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: This workshop will help to develop healthy methods of discipline and training that will equip children with good interpersonal and intra-personal relationship skills, good problem solving skills, as well as the ability to effectively process success and failures. PRESENTER: Allen McCray, Ph.D. Life Impact, Humacao, Puerto Rico
Tuesday February 28th
1:30pm- 3:00pm
BEST PRACTICES FOR GETTING PARENTS ON BOARD Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: This workshop is based on a synthesis of research-based strategies and practices proven to increase parental engagement in schools and other settings. PRESENTER: Dr. Nicole Scott & Dr. Michael Coleman, Pine Hill, New Jersey FROM TRAUMA TO DRAMA TO A LITTLE BIT CALMER Redondo Room
Workshop Description: This session explores the impact of trauma on fathers and the added daily drama (stressors) to assist fathers in becoming more effective by increasing their calm. PRESENTER: Dr. George R. Williams, Prairie Village, Kansas Page | 6
GO FISH! Malibu Room
Workshop Description: This fun, interactive, multimedia workshop will provide a set of simple team building philosophy and practical tools to help create a positive environment and culture for family. It is a way to build stronger relationships that equip everyone to face challenges more effectively. PRESENTER: Dr. Lee Ho, Santa Fe Springs, California HEALING JOURNEYS: SURVIVING FAMILY VIOLENCE Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: An overview of personal experiences as a child in a family of seven children surviving family violence. A collection of memories in a book titled, Healing Journeys: Surviving Family Violence by members of her family. Speaker will review the steps to MAKE A STAND AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE PRESENTER: Lupe Valdez, Corpus Cristi, Texas HOW TO BUILD A FATHERS PROGRAM IN YOUR COMMUNITY Laguna Room
Workshop Description: This workshop will give participants knowledge on creating and developing a community based Fathers Program. It will explain how to recruit the fathers in your area to learn the principals on taking ownership and build an organization they own and run. PRESENTER: Walter Simpkins and D.C. LESSONS FROM JAMAICA- CENTRALITY OF FAMILY IN COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: PRESENTER: Dr. Michael Coombs and Carol Coombs, Kingston, Jamaica LET’S TALK EVALUATION: HIGH QUALITY PROJECTS IN FATHERHOOD PROGRAMS Grand Ballroom A
Workshop Description: This workshop will offer attendees an overview of the strategies and best practices for conducting evaluation research in fatherhood programs. This introductory course will introduce the main types of research designs and highlight commonly used outcome measures. PRESENTER: Rebecca Kaufman, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tuesday February 28th
3:15pm- 4:45pm
7 STEPS TO RAISING A HIGH ACHIEVER Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: This presentation will teach step-by-step strategies that parents can immediately implement at home to help their children prepare for a competitive future in college and in the job market, starting at a very early age. PRESENTER: Dr. Nicoline Ambe, Carson, California SUPPORTING ACADEMICS, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: This workshop provides stakeholders with an understanding of what is required to implement a successful school and community partnership. PRESENTER: Dr. LaWanda Clark, Memphis, Tennessee Page | 7
FINANCIAL FITNESS: MANAGING & TRACKING CHILD SUPPORT Laguna Room
Workshop Description: This workshop will focus on how to best manage and track your child support payments and how co-parents can work together to share expenses in easy, simple and safe ways. PRESENTER: Sheri Atwood, Santa Clara, California HOW TO FIND PEACE IN YOUR LIFE Redondo Room
Workshop Description: This workshop will share some evidence-based strategies to enhance the participant’s ability to find inner peace and rejuvenate their soul. PRESENTER: Dr. Tony Wu, Santa Fe Springs, California PARENTING SKILLS IN THE AGE OF NETWORKS Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: This workshop, based on the popular “Breakthrough Parenting” methodology, teaches parents and those working with parents the various parenting styles so that they can then transform into a modern-day parent able to guide their child or children into a complicated world of networks and technology. PRESENTER: Plinio Garcia, Marina Del Rey, California UNDERSTANDING & OVERCOMING ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES Seminar Room 2nd Floor
Workshop Description: Learn how to help clients overcome the effects of childhood trauma. Discover what it means to be “Trauma-informed and Beyond” in your professional and personal life. You will learn how persistent stress affects a person physically, emotionally, cogniti33vely and spiritually. PRESENTER: Dave Lockridge, Atwater, California UNPACKING THE PARENTING TOOLBOX TO ELEVATE FAMILIES & CHILDREN Malibu Room
Workshop Description: We present the core tools of the Global Parenting Toolbox. Parenting has traditionally been a behavior or engagement based on instinct and passive knowledge. This toolbox is designed to reduce the instinctual behavior of parents with a somewhat new game plan of tools to consciously function as the best purpose driven parent on earth. PRESENTER:
Gregory Johnson, Cleveland, Ohio Tuesday February 28th
5:00pm- 7:00pm
HOSTED OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION- MEET THE AUTHORS SCREENING OF “DADDY DON’T GO” Grand Ballroom
Wednesday March 1st
9:00am- 10:30pm
GENERAL SESSION: NEXT STEP - NEW MILLENNIAL MODELS Grand Ballroom
This is a rare moment that three leaders from the Administration for Children and Families come at one setting to address strengthening families and improving outcomes for children during our Wednesday, March 1st morning plenary session. PLENARY SPEAKERS Carlis V. Williams, Atlanta, Georgia Regional Administrator - Administration for Children and Families - Region 4 Yvette Hilderson Riddick, Washington, D.C. Director of the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement’s Division of Policy Charisse Johnson, Washington, D.C. Branch Chief of the Office of Family Assistance -Administration for Children and Families
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Moderator Hon. Arthur L. Burnett Sr., Judge (ret), Washington, D.C. National African American Drug Policy Council
Wednesday March 1st
10:30am- 12:00pm
#KIDSNEED2: POSITIVE CO-PARENTING STRATEGIES TO EMPOWER POSITIVE CHILDREN Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: The #KidsNeed2 workshop will identify common practices and behaviors by unmarried parents that have a negative impact on children and often lead to low academic achievement, psychological transference and trauma-based behaviors. PRESENTER: Alexis Dobbins, Upper Marlboro, Maryland BENEPHILLY: COLLECTIVE IMPACT ON FAMILIES’ ACCESS TO BENEFITS Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: This workshop will focus, specifically, on how Philadelphia expanded access to public benefits for fathers and families using collective impact and share lessons learned in implementing the Shared Prosperity program. PRESENTER: Sulaiman Wood, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania DISCIPLINE: A NEW LOOK AT AN OLD PARENTAL CHALLENGE Malibu Room
Workshop Description: In this presentation, we will pull the lens way back and take a fresh look at discipline and behavior management. “Discipline”, from “disciple”, means to guide, to teach, to lead. Attendees will learn a new, expanded view of the philosophy of discipline and the exact tools. PRESENTER: Mark Perlman, Sarasota, Florida DEBT FORGIVENESS IS FOR REAL! Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement will share information about state debt forgiveness programs and best practices, and to encourage fatherhood practitioners to spread the word. PRESENTERS:
Callen Kurpinsky, San Francisco, California Vernon Wallace, Baltimore, Maryland Tywanna Taylor, Annapolis, Maryland Amy Burgoon, Topeka, Kansas Robert Jones, Sacramento, California
HOW TO AVOID MARRYING A JERK (OR JERKETTE) Laguna Room
Workshop Description: An overview of the evidenced-based PICK (Premarital Interpersonal Choices & Knowledge) Certification Course. This workshop presents a fun and lively overview of the PICK course which integrates existing research on partner selection and healthy relationship development. PRESENTER: John Van Epp, PhD., San Clemente, California YOUNG FATHERS: POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS Grand Ballroom F
Workshop Description: This session will discuss newly released policy recommendations from the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) for child welfare systems to better engage, support and serve young fathers, their children and families. PRESENTER: Lisa Primus, New York City, New York James Rodríguez, Rancho Cucamonga, California Page | 10
RAISING CONFIDENT, COMPETENT CHILDREN POSITIVE PARENTING SOLUTIONS Redondo Room
Workshop Description: Raising confident, competent children introduces parents to the six building blocks children need to do well in life. PRESENTER: Johnnie Chavis, Jennings, Louisiana THE 4 KEYS OF TRAUMA INFORMED CARE Salon 210
Workshop Description: Without awareness of how to address trauma in our organizations, services can be largely ineffective and can inadvertently continue to cause injury. A trauma informed approach focuses on creating a culture of healing within the structure of the organization. PRESENTER: Dr. Carolyn Curtis, Sacramento, California
Wednesday March 1st
12:00pm- 1:30pm
INTERNATIONAL PLENARY PANEL TURNING COMMUNITIES OF TRAUMA INTO EMPOWERMENT AND PROSPERITY Plenary Sessions- Grand Ballroom Description: Disparities in the United States exists internationally and our, Turning Communities of Trauma into Empowerment and Prosperity brings an international team of physicians, criminologist and maternal and child health experts together for a powerful panel. Dr. Delores Gordon Alleyne, MD Save Our Sons- Los Angeles, California Dr. Michael Coombs, MD National Association for the Family-Kingston, Jamaica Dr. Obie Clayton Clark Atlanta University-Atlanta, Georgia Dr. Shin Margaret Chao Maternal Child and Adolescent Health - County of Los Angeles MODERATOR: Dr. Rufus Sylvester Lynch, ACSW The Strong Families Commission Incorporated – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wednesday March 1st
1:30pm- 3:00pm
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUTH & ADULTS WHO OFFEND Laguna Room
Workshop Description: Workshop attendees will learn the difference between youth who have made sexual mistakes and the adults that continue to violate the sexual boundaries of others. PRESENTER: Hiram Rivera-Toro, LMFT – Rancho Cucamonga, California THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURAL VALUES, PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES IN FAMILIES Malibu Room
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Workshop Description This lively, interactive, multimedia workshop assists participants in gaining a deeper understanding of culture and its unmistakable importance to the family. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to reexamine their core values and principles as they relate to family cultural practices. PRESENTER: Achebe Hoskins – Oakland, California FATHERHOOD AND CHILD SUPPORT COLLABORATION: NEW MILLENNIUM MODELS Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement with The Office of Family Assistance will share an overview of fatherhood/child support collaboration (past and present), share successes and describe current collaborations. The history of demonstration projects has proved the effectiveness of fatherhood and child support collaboration. Speakers will share the evolution, successes, and current collaborations. PRESENTER: James Murray, Washington, D.C. Charisse Johnson, Washington, D.C. Clarence Burge, Atlanta, Georgia Veronica Ragland, Phoenix, Arizona LEGACY MINDED MENTORING – STANDING IN THE GAP Grand Ballroom F
Workshop Description: Mentoring is essential for boys to grow into strong men. Legacy Minded Mentoring is a mentor training program that enables mentors to get the tools and confidence they need, not only to mentor their own children, but also other boys in need. PRESENTER: Juan Garcia, Patterson, New Jersey OUT OF THE ASHES: WHERE A SEED FINDS LIFE Redondo Room
Workshop Description: Out of the Ashes is an original and authentic drama therapy presentation. The workshop is based upon the strategy used by real life father (Coley Harris) and son (Ahmarr Melton) to heal and re-establish their relationship after a 14-year separation due to incarceration. PRESENTER: Coley and Patty Harris, Newark, Delaware PARENTING – KEYS TO RAISING RESPONSIBLE KIDS Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: In this workshop, you will discover key parenting insights vital for every parent, social worker and educator to know. PRESENTER: Luke Nelson, Mill Creek, Washington THE FAMILY CIRCLE - HELPING BLENDED FAMILIES FIND THEIR FOCUS Grand Ballroom A
Workshop Description This workshop will provide information on how parents of blended families can better focus on raising emotionally healthy children and veer away from “Baby Mama Drama” and “Deadbeat Dad” issues. PRESENTER:
Shaynel Caldwell, Capital Heights, Maryland
Wednesday March 1st
3:15pm- 4:45pm
LEVERAGE YOUR POTENTIAL: CERTIFIED FATHERHOOD LIFE COACH Seminar Room 2nd Floor
Workshop Description: Fathers & Families Coalition of America, in collaboration with Life Impact, LLC, have come together to blend evidence-based interventions, extensive experience training fatherhood practitioners and assurance of a quality training that goes beyond certification into another level, dimension and growth of purpose. PRESENTER: James Rodríguez and Allen McCray, PhD
TITLE: EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS: WHY AREN’T FATHERS PARTICIPATING? Redondo Room
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Workshop Description: U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement will provide best practices for employment programs that struggle with finding and keeping participants. Speakers will share creative ways to recruit, engage, and graduate fathers. PRESENTERS: Veronica Ragland, Phoenix, Arizona Rebecca Kaufman, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Guy Bowling, Minneapolis, Minnesota Walter Simpkins, Schenectady, NY D.C. Dunkel, Schenectady, NY PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF FATHERHOOD THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORK MAPPING Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: The workshop is designed to offer strategies on the development and implementation of parenting methodologies that equip families to manage existing contextual settings related to race, socioeconomic status and educational opportunities from an asset-based approach. PRESENTER: Matthew Lee, Memphis, Tennessee
FATHERS AS ROLE MODELS: HEALTHY EATING HABITS FOR HEALTHY KIDS Laguna Room
Workshop Description: Our simple, evidence-based presentation explains the difference between healthy and unhealthy eating habits and how to make affordable choices for a family. PRESENTER: Dr. Alexander Khananashvilli, Santa Fe Springs, California
HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN ACQUIRE SELF-MANAGEMENT, MOTIVATION AND RESPONSIVE BEHAVIOR SKILLS Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: Changes in today’s world present us with challenges we must address positively so we can guide our children to have fruitful lives. In this workshop, participants will explore and practice techniques and tools for adults to help children become self-managers. PRESENTER: Maria Escude Reifler, Santa Fe Springs, California
KEYS TO CREATING BALANCE AS A PARENT Malibu Room Workshop Description: This presentation offers parents detailed information that they can implement at home to find balance between work, life and parenting so that they can spend more valuable time with their children. PRESENTER: Dr. Nicoline Ambe, Carson, California
LEADING YOUR FAMILY FROM SURVIVAL TO SUCCESS Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: Leading your family to success does not have to be a mystery. In fact, this workshop will give you a roadmap to follow to take your family, as a unit and each member in it, and push your God given gifts to the limit. PRESENTER:
TQ, Senkungu, El Segundo, California
MY CHILD’S BRAIN, FROM BIRTH TO FIVE Grand Ballroom A
Workshop Description: This workshop provides important information about how a young child’s brain ‘wires up,’ as well as practical methods for stimulating healthy early brain development for later success in school. PRESENTER: Dr. Patsy Brown, Moreno Valley, California
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THE NEW COMMUNITY: BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITY ACROSS GENERATIONS Seminar Room 2nd Floor
Workshop Description: This workshop is designed for professionals and parents to define the major difference between Millennials and the previous generation, understand the opportunities and challenges facing us as we work to build community and strategies for building a healthy and growing cross-generational community. PRESENTER: Dr. Anthony Randall, St Petersburg, Florida
Thursday March 2nd
9:00am- 10:30am
GENERAL SESSION: #NEVER GIVING UP-BREAKTHROUGH 2017 Every attendee come seeking something to maximize and or improve professional development, organizational capacity or even self. And, everyone has overcome adversity. We close our conference with tremendous, profound and rare motivational speakers that can not only inspire any audience while igniting a powerful desire to go deeper in the process to improve their performance. Plenary Sessions Grand Ballroom Dr. Adam Ybarra, San Jose, California The Tenacious Group Inc. Joe Pellegrino, Lincoln Park, New Jersey Legacy Minded Men James C. Rodríguez, Rancho Cucamonga, California Fathers & Families Coalition of America
Thursday March, 2nd
10:30am- 4:30pm
CONTINUES FRIDAY
9:00am – 2:00pm
Nurturing Father Training for Trainers Seminar Room 2nd floor The Nurturing Father’s Program is recognized by SAMHSA National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices as a proven effective curriculum that teaches nurturing attitudes and skills to men.
Thursday March, 2nd
10:30pm- 12:00pm
ANALYZING WAYS FATHERS CAN CULTIVATE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: The quality of our relationships with others largely depends on the effort put forth, or lack of effort put forth to strengthen it. Our discussion will examine elements of unhealthy relationships and contrast them with healthy relationships. PRESENTER: Marsalis Antony Taylor, Trenton, New Jersey ENGAGING FATHERS AS STAKEHOLDERS IN CHILDREN’S ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Grand Ballroom C
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Workshop Description: The workshop presenter will use a creative methodology concentrating on challenging personal values and beliefs in conjunction with parent stakeholders to create better academic outcomes in children. PRESENTER: Dwayne Meeks, Denver, Colorado F.A.C.E. I.T FAMILY AWARENESS CRISIS EDUCATION INTERVENTION AND TRAINING Malibu Room
Workshop Description: During this session, participants will learn: 1) Approach to engaging the community with respect to planning town hall meetings. 2) Key takeaways from parents and community members during each of the town hall meetings. 3) Implications for future work with low-income parents and communities. PRESENTER: Grace Crockett, Maricopa, Arizona FATHERHOOD INTEGRATION WITHIN CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY-FOCUSED AGENCIES Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: The workshop will be led by national thoughtful leaders and undergirded by child and family research findings; consideration of family strengthening public policy, past and present; practice enhancement techniques for engaging fathers; as well as the identification of individual and organizational needs to improve outcomes for children going forward. PRESENTER: Dr. Rufus Sylvester Lynch, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO MORE FATHERING TIME Grand Ballroom A
Workshop Description: Parenting in Partnership (PIP) is a positive co-parenting pilot. The goal of PIP is to offer services and supports that foster strong parenting partnerships between custodial and noncustodial parents while securing the stability of families through employment, child support payments and housing. PRESENTER: Sandra Bryant, St. Louis, Missouri RESPONSIBLE MEN: KEEPING THE TRADITION ALIVE, GENERATION TO GENERATION Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: : Today, it “appears” that no one is reaching back or “paying it forward” in meaningful ways. That everyone is out for themselves. That our youth are lost or disinterested. This Round Table Forum will prove these assumptions to be far from the truth. PRESENTERS: Stephen Browning, Tempe, Arizona and Lisa Tillman Page, Atlanta, Georgia SUPER GLUE YOUR LOVE RELATIONSHIP - GROW AND STAY TOGETHER Laguna Room
Workshop Description: This session will focus on the “SUPER GLUE” elements to help bond and grow the love relationship of both married and unmarried couples. This session will examine how the main ingredients of faith, trust and love will form the “super glue” to help keep relationships from becoming separated when facing life’s storms. PRESENTER:
Kevin Toney, Porter Ranch, California
TITLE: PARENTING IN A VIOLENT WORLD: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE FIELD Location Malibu Room
Description: Most urban children, by the time they enter high school, have seen the use of weapons, guns or other acts of violence against people in their neighborhood, school or home. PRESENTER: Patrick Patterson, Fairfax, Virginia
Lunch Noon to 1:00p.m. Thursday March, 2nd 1:00pm- 2:30pm
RESEARCH, SERVICE & POLICY CHANGE EFFORTS TO SUPPORT LOW-INCOME FATHERS Malibu Room
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Workshop Description: This workshop includes distinguished researchers in the areas of community-based participatory research, policy (advocacy) and service approaches focused on fathers. PRESENTER: Dr. Latrice Rollins, Atlanta, Georgia Dr. Petrice Sams-Abiodun, New Orleans, Louisiana
DATA MANAGEMENT WITH CHILDPLUS Grand Ballroom D
Workshop Description: In this session, participants will learn how to collect data and use reports, design new data tracking modules, set up email notifications, improve data tracking for teacher-child interactions and family goal-oriented relationships and improve policies and procedures. PRESENTER: Carolyn Heyliger-Graham, Atlanta, Georgia
EFFECTIVE & HEALTHY STRATEGIES FOR CO-PARENTING Laguna Room
Workshop Description: This workshop is based upon the strategies and principles that I have used in my book, Winning the Baby Mama Drama Dilemma. PRESENTER: Leopole McLaughlin
FROM THE INSIDE OUT Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: This workshop is designed to engage and equip individuals and the family members of those previously incarcerated by helping them to identify their gifts, talents and innate resources and capacity. PRESENTERS: Sharolyn Payton Cordova, and Lisa D. Page, Atlanta, Georgia
IGNITING HUMAN POTENTIAL: STORYTELLING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE Redondo Room
Workshop Description: This workshop uses case-study examples of how the rising generation is effectively using transmedia and storytelling to breakdown silos, stigmas and social constructs. PRESENTER: Lee Fox, Santa Fe Springs, California
SAVING OUR BOYS- CREATING EFFECTIVE EDUCATIONAL & MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS Salon 205
Workshop Description: This session will provide participants with tools and strategies for fostering healthy relationships with young men and raise awareness that positive relationships improve academic achievement. PRESENTER: Lovelle McMichael, Mesa, Arizona
THE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES PROJECT Salon 210
Workshop Description: Hear and see how California is applying behavioral insights to child support contexts and how the behavioral interventions are expanding our understanding that a person’s actions do not always reflect his or her intentions. The BICS Project seeks to understand child support processes from the user’s perspective. PRESENTER: Lori Cruz, J.D., Stockton, California TRUE LEADERSHIP- LEAVING A LEGACY-THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED Salon 214
Workshop Description: This workshop focuses on Leadership Principles that can be used in any organization. This is for Leaders who are teachable, willing and open to continuous learning. PRESENTER: Nick Bravo, Upland California USING HIP-HOP TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH, MANHOOD AND RELATIONSHIPS Page | 16
Grand Ballroom C
Workshop Description: This workshop will use hip-hop to discuss the values, roles, expectation, struggles and opportunities of manhood and teaching it to our sons. PRESENTER: Dr. Obari Adéye Cartman, Richton Park, Illinois
Thursday March, 2nd
2:45pm- 4:15pm
FATHERHOOD THE MOVEMENT: AN UNTAPPED NATURAL RESOURCE Laguna Room
Workshop Description: Participants will assess and evaluate themselves and their program, discuss and learn strategies for initiating communication with men / fathers, and finally, techniques for engaging fathers in the education of their children will be discussed and shared. PRESENTER: Christopher Chambers, Saint Louis, Missouri INNOVATIVE CHILD SUPPORT STRATEGY TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS Hermosa Room
Workshop Description: This workshop will discuss innovative approaches to the establishment and enforcement of child support that foster healthy relationships by strengthening families and communities. PRESENTER: Lisl King Williams, J.D., Saint Louis, Missouri ONE BIG HAPPY “BLENDED FAMILY:” HELPING FATHERS CO-PARENT EFFECTIVELY Workshop Description: This workshop is presented by the National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families, a federal initiative that promotes the integration of healthy relationship skills into social service delivery systems as part of a holistic approach to strengthening families. PRESENTER:
Robyn Cenizal with Eugene Schneeberg-Fairfax, Virginia
SELECTED TRIPLE P: THE POWER OF POSITIVE PARENTING Salon 214
Workshop Description: Selected Triple P is designed primarily as a universal parenting support strategy, but it may also be implemented as an early intervention strategy for parents whose children currently have, or are at risk of developing, behavioral or emotional problems. PRESENTER: Nicole Hall Alexandria, Louisiana SKILL SETS: HEALTHY MINDS Salon 201
Workshop Description: Experiences in Life and Relationships. The workshop introduces a simple trauma awareness program that can be implemented in your marriage, parenting or fatherhood program taught by paraprofessionals and professionals. PRESENTER: Carolyn Rich Curtis, Ph.D., Sacramento, California
THE BEAUTIFUL BILINGUAL MIND- FOR SELF-AWARENESS & RESILIENCY Salon 210
Workshop Description: Workshop the National Institute for Mental Health cites that 1 in 5 individuals lives with a mental health condition. Additional research explores the extensive benefits of bilingualism (including, but not limited to, improved academic performance, cognitive reserves, enhanced cultural sensitivity and employment opportunities). PRESENTERS: Kristal Wortham with Khaalid Lucas, Washington, District of Columbia THE BLACK FAMILY BUSINESS: A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE Malibu Room
Workshop Description: Starting and owning a business can provide a family with a financial foundation. This is an underutilized avenue within the African-American community, where unemployment remains higher than for any other demographic in the nation. PRESENTER: Dr. Teresa Merriweather Orok, Huntsville, Alabama Sharon Brooks Hodge Martinsville, Virginia Page | 17
TODAY ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DO MATTER Salon 205
Workshop Description: This workshop will explore and inform issues of academic challenges, behavior issues and the development of positive relationships with peers, parents, caretakers, teachers, and mentors. We will engage in discussion about how emotional stability develops and influences child development and can be rebuilt. PRESENTER:
Dr. Alexina Hazzard Inglewood, California Thursday March, 2nd
6:00pm- 6:30pm
NATIONAL GALA RECEPTION/NETWORKING Join us from 6:00p.m. to 6:30p.m. for networking as we prepare to host the Annual Drs. Ramon & Yolanda Nieves Family Affair Red Tie/Red-Dress Gala
Major Family Services is a Proud Sponsor of the 18th Annual Families and Fathers National Conference 2017. Never Giving Up – Breakthrough, Los Angeles, CA The Official Organization and Website From the Author and Creator of "Breakthrough Parenting," Jayne A Major, Ph.D.
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Our expertise in divorce, DCFS or similar government agencies will lead to a successful strategy, **We specialize in Parental Alienation and high-conflict divorce. Private classes and expert witnesses.
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578 Washington Blvd #574 Los Angeles, CA 90292 Tel: 310-902-1651 [email protected]
Personalized Consultation or Private Classes
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