Best Practices for Engaging 21st Century Fathers Regional Conference

The Fatherhood Coalition of Tarrant County (FCTC) in partnership with the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) is hosting its 3rd Regional Fatherhood Conference on the South campus of Tarrant County College. Our theme, “Best Practices for Engaging 21st Century Fathers,” is designed to bring together public and private sector professionals interested in research-based best practices and innovations to engage fathers and support families.

The conference seeks to attract policymakers and practitioners from diverse backgrounds and perspectives-- including all levels of government, educators, nonprofit organizations, program administrators, business professionals and community leaders. The conference will feature concurrent sessions, vendor displays, networking opportunities and much more. The day will kick-off with a continental networking breakfast and resource exhibitors. Also featured will be award presentations to outstanding local fathers recognized during the Coalition’s Annual Tarrant County Fathers Hall of Fame Luncheon. Conference registration includes admission to the award luncheon. The luncheon will feature entertainment and great food as we spotlight outstanding fathers making a difference in the lives of their children and the community.

We are excited to have Robin Y McDonald with the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Family Assistance (OFA) as our opening plenary speaker. Ms. McDonald is responsible for implementation and oversight of the $150 million Healthy Marriage and Promoting Responsible Fatherhood demonstration grants authorized by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005(DRA).

Our luncheon speaker will be the award winning speaker and trainer Eugene Schneeberg. Mr. Schneeberg led Department of Justice (DOJ) efforts as part of the President Obama’s Responsible Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative and My Brother’s Keeper Initiative. His list of accomplishments are exhaustive including launching $10 million dollar Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps grant program, DOJ Youth Violence Prevention efforts and appearances as commentator on various nationally syndicated news networks.

CONFERENCE AGENDA

7:00 a.m. - Registration opens

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. - Continental breakfast

8:30 a.m. - Opening Plenary Session- Robin Y. McDonald, Esq.

9:45 a.m. - 11:00am - Concurrent Breakout Sessions (TBA)*

11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Fathers Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon- Eugene Schneeberg

1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. - Concurrent Breakout Sessions (TBA)*

2:30pm- 3:30pm - "Voices of Fathers" Closing Plenary- Felicia Murray, Ph.D/ Kenneth D. Thompson, Sr.

3:45pm- 5:00pm - Concurrent Breakout Sessions (TBA)*

*Concurrent breakout sessions will address our conference theme of engagement in the areas of Marketing, Education, Reentry, Workforce and Parenting. The full list of conference sessions and speakers is posted below. Register now to attend the “Best Practices for Engaging 21st Century Fathers” Regional Fatherhood Conference!

Full list of conference sessions

Trauma Informed Care- Brief Overview
Brandi Ownby, MS, LPC, Guinn Healthcare Technologies
Will discuss key organizational and service delivery elements of trauma informed care. Will briefly highlight findings from the extensive and well known Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study.

How to Successfully Serve Dads with National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI)
Programs and Resources
Christopher Brown, President, National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI)
Participants will learn how their organization can partner with NFI to successfully serve dads. Participants will learn how to use NFI programs and resources to customize their services to dads. Participants will learn about NFI's innovative evidence-based fatherhood programs and the system of complimentary services and research-based resources that support those programs; Participants will learn how to use NFI resources, training, and services to build staff and organizational capacity to successfully serve dads.
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Recipe for a Successful Fatherhood Coalition: Tarrant County Model
Mervil Johnson, MPA, Chairman, Fatherhood Coalition of Tarrant County (FCTC)
Charles Scoma, Chairman Emeritus, FCTC/NFI Board member
Workshop will provide essential components required for creating and sustaining a successful community-wide fatherhood initiative.

Relational Engagement: The Secret Sauce to Flavor Your Service
Tommy Jordan, Executive Director, NewDay Services
The secret sauce in the greatest engagement strategy is not your program, not your good curriculum, not your mission/vision statement, your Facebook page, your flyers or brochures, your value statements, the make-up of your board of directors, not the perfect mix personalities, and it’s certainly not your nifty incentives, This workshop will consider how relational engagement can lead to better retention and stronger outcomes for fathers and their families.

Factoring in Fathers Marion County, Florida's Solution to Addressing Fatherhood
Christine Sandy, Workgroup Coordinator for Building Better Dads
​The Marion County (FL) Children’s Alliance launched Building Better Dads three years ago in response to the need of its community’s children and families. Recognizing that one in four children were living without a male role model present in the home, community leaders established Building Better Dads to address this need.

Breastfeeding Basics for Brothers: How Fathers Can Best Support Breastfeeding Mother and Baby.
Peter M. Williams, Father's Forward Initiative, Detroit Health Department
Fathers have a role to play as primary support and caregivers for the health and care of mothers and babies. Fathers’ attitudes and opinions are one of the principal influences on whether and for how long a new mother breastfeeds. Fathers also have an important role during the birthing process, comforting the mother and safeguarding birthing decisions. However, fathers are often sidelined once activity around the birth of the baby begins – a silent father can be mistaken for a disinterested one. This workshop will explore “best practices” for fathers to assert themselves into their role as primary support for the mother in the delivery room, for the breastfeeding mother and the nursing baby.

Invisible Father: How to Effectively Engage Teen Fathers
Kevin Brigance, Youth Development Coach
Where resources and programs have been developed for adult fathers, there are few to little resources offered for teen fathers. We will explore best practices and the mentor-coaching model used to assist teen fathers and parenting teens. Attendants will also be able to hear from a panel of teen fathers who have participated in the Young Fathers program.

Building Effective Relationships for Serving Fathers in the Re-Entry Population
Andre L. Johnson, Director of Tarrant County Reentry First Stop Center
This workshop is designed to provide strategies for building strong community alliances. Geared to a multi-disciplinary audience, attendees will receive best practices that will assist fathers (many who were formerly incarcerated) to build strong, productive relationships that lead to positive development. In addition, attendees will learn simple motivational techniques designed to build a consortium of like-minded organizations focused on re-entry related issues.

Successfully Engaging and Retaining Fathers and Father Figures in Your School
John Donaldson, All Pro Dad Regional Representative
You will learn practical proven methods to engage, retain and inspire fathers and father figures in impacting student achievement by utilizing the nationally-recognized “All Pro Dad” program as a tool. All Pro Dad’s Day provides an opportunity for dads to spend quality time with their children while strengthening their relationship and positively impacting the child’s school and the entire community.

Proactive Prevention: How to Talk to Children About Child Sexual Abuse
John Asbill, Women's Center of Tarrant County
This discussion-based presentation will focus on child sexual abuse, its lasting effects, and strategies for protecting children from becoming victims. We will explore how fathers can take a proactive role in helping prevent child sexual abuse through the use of effective relationship and education strategies, and how to help a child if they are sexually abused.

Resources and Tips in Recruiting Fathers from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse/Fathers Incorporated Team Members
This interactive session will discuss lessons learned in recruiting fathers. Participants will learn about tips and resources to better engage and serve fathers; and find out more about the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, including the fatherhood.gov website, social media platforms, and products written to advance the fatherhood field.