12:00PM - 6:00PM ET (ON GOING)

EXHIBITOR’S SET UP TIME

5:00PM - 7:00PM ET

WELCOME RECEPTION

HONORING FAVORITE FATHERS OF OHIO

The Welcome Reception will include a light meal for all families and friends. It will honor fathers from across the State of Ohio who has been nominated and selected for recognition as Favorite Fathers by local fatherhood programs and agencies. These dads will be honored with certificates honoring them as 2023 Favorite Fathers of Ohio.

7:30AM-8:30AM ET

INTERFAITH PRAYER BREAKFAST

Presiding, Pastor Charles Stephenson, Executive Director, Powerhouse Ministries, and Co-Founder of Focus on Fatherhood Network, Marshall, MO

8:00AM-4:30PM ET

REGISTRATION OPENS (ON-GOING)

9:00 AM-10:30AM ET

OPENING PLENARY SESSION

RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD: HONORING THE PAST, EMBRACING THE FUTURE*

There have been significant research, policy, and practice developments regarding fatherhood since the first International Fatherhood Conference 25 years ago. On the research side of things, we have seen many studies and valuable data that have caused the entire fatherhood field to look both promising and one of conjecture at the same time. There appears to be a gap in evaluation practices and what fatherhood programs can and should do in producing evidenced-based outcomes. What have we learned, and what can we prove that works after nearly a billion-dollar investment in federally supported fatherhood programs? Answering these questions is crucial because fatherhood and healthy marriage programs will be up for renewal in two years.

We know that fathers are essential to the lives of children and families, irrespective of income, race, culture, and marital status. Future fatherhood-related research, policy, and practices must incorporate a greater emphasis on parenting and co-parenting education, particularly among unmarried parents who never intend to marry, and debt reduction strategies for non-resident, dead-broke fathers unable to meet their past and current child support obligations. We will also need to address fatherhood in all its diversity and broaden the focus beyond TANF, child support, and workforce development, considering the vital role fathers play in maternal and child health and child welfare concerns moving forward. We must also consider both prevention and intervention strategies in addressing fatherhood matters.

Fatherhood programming at present is all over the map. There are few or no program standards, and a need for more emphasis on professional development. This situation has contributed to high staff turnover rates and low rates of participant program completion.

Finally, there is a need to build on the legacy of fatherhood leaders nearing the end of their careers. It is essential to maintain sight of lessons learned, both positive and negative, as all can contribute to the future growth of the responsible fatherhood field.

This opening plenary session will discuss how honoring the past and embracing the future informs research, policy, and practice in responsible fatherhood.

Moderator: Dr. Jeffery Johnson, President, National Partnership for Community Leadership,Washington, DC

PANEL MEMBERS:

Mr. Seth Chamberlain, Director, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC

Mr. Kenn Harris, Vice President for Engagement & Community Partnerships, Director of Healthy Start TA & Support Center National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ) Boston, MA

Dr. Wade Horn, (former Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families) Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Raleigh, North Carolina

Dr. Ron Mincy, Maurice Russell Professor, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY

Discussant: Ms. Kimberly Dent, Executive Director, Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, Columbus, Ohio

10:45AM-12:15PM ET

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS*

12:30PM-1:45 PM ET

SPIRIT OF FATHERHOOD HALL OF FAME AWARDS LUNCHEON*

2:00PM-3:30 PM ET

PLENARY SESSION TWO

EMERGING LEADERS: FUTURE HISTORY MAKERS*

The fatherhood field needs new leaders to emerge that build upon the lessons learned. They must step up and do the necessary things to continue moving the field forward. Throughout the nearly 50 years of fatherhood efforts, many men and women have provided valuable leadership in moving the work forward in policy, research, and practice. These individuals possessed a unique set of leadership characteristics to succeed. The fatherhood field needs committed leaders who inspire others.

Every level and area of fatherhood work needs leadership. Fatherhood mentors must connect and educate those less experienced in the fatherhood field. Fatherhood mentees (protégés) must be teachable. The fatherhood field needs unity, not division. Twenty years of episodic and limited funding opportunities in the fatherhood field has created a "scarcity mentality," where people look out for themselves and not the greater fatherhood community. Critical mass and coordinated actions in the fatherhood field for policy changes, new research efforts, and funding have made a difference. There should be greater recognition regarding the importance of collaboration in achieving the dreams and aspirations for reducing fathers' absence in the lives of children and families, particularly in economically challenged communities. Understanding what leadership looks and feels like in practice and commitment to accomplish this is essential.

This plenary session will address ways to advance the field through new andemerging leaders.

Moderator: Dr. Benjamin Bell, Co-Founder, Dads with A Purpose, Des Moines, Iowa

PANEL MEMBERS:

Ms. Avis Files, Director of Family Supportive Services: Brothers United and Sisters United Pathway Inc., Toledo, Ohio

Mr. Michael Munoz, Vice-President, Business Development, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Resort and Entertainment Company, Canton, Ohio

Mr. Robert Taylor, Director, New Life Program, Nashville, Tennessee

Mr. Erik Vecere, Chief Program Officer, National Fatherhood Initiative, Germantown, Maryland

3:30PM – 3:45PM ET

BREAK*

3:45PM - 5:00PM ET

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS*

5:15PM-6:00PM ET

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME VILLAGE TOUR

6:00PM ET

DINNER ON YOUR OWN

Please note the items with an asterix * are offered in person and virtually

8:00AM-5:00PM ET

REGISTRATION OPENS (ON-GOING)

9:00AM-10:15AM ET

OPENING PLENARY SESSION

EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD THROUGH STATE INVOLVEMENT*

Since 2005, the federal government has provided funding support for fatherhood programs through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. This effort has yielded promising results for very few communities addressing the significant problem of father absence in high-poverty neighborhoods, including urban, rural, and Native-American reservations. Much of what the federal government is doing to support fatherhood programming can be done by the states with TANF, Child Welfare, Head Start, Workforce Development, and other sources, to name of few. However, only a few States are funding fatherhood programs. There is a significant need to expand the opportunities available for funding for responsible fatherhood programs and capacity building in states where fatherhood programming needs to be improved or initiated so that more children can benefit from the loving and nurturing support of fathers and mothers. Several states across the country provide leadership in state actions that will lead to an expanded focus on responsible fatherhood and support or those efforts through various state legislative and funding actions.

This Plenary Session will focus on state efforts to expand opportunities for responsible fatherhood. Panel members will share their respective states' activities for fatherhood, why it is essential, and their plans for expanding future opportunities for responsible fatherhood efforts.

Moderator: Jeffery Johnson, President, National Partnership for Community Leadership, Washington, DC

PANEL MEMBERS

Mr. Clarence Carter, Secretary, Tennessee Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Rufus Lynch, Pennsylvania Advisory Committee on Greater Father Involvement

10:15 AM-10:30AM ET

BREAK*

10:30AM-11:45AM ET

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS*

11:45AM ET

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

1:00PM-2:15 PM ET

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS*

EXHIBITOR DISPLAY/TAKEDOWN

2:30PM – 3:00PM ET

CLOSING PLENARY SESSION*

Dr. Jeffery Johnson, Rev. Charles Stephenson, and Rev. Brian Williams

3:00PM ET

CONFERENCE ADJOURNS*

3:15PM-4:00PM ET

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME VILLAGE TOUR

Please note the items with an asterix * are offered in person and virtually