Getting Dads Involved:
Building the Connection Between Dads & Their Children

Location:  Billerica, MA - Courtyard by Marriott, Billerica

Despite the enormous benefits of responsible father/father-figure involvement, far too many youth lack a caring dad/adult male to exert a positive influence in their lives. As professionals working with children and families in a variety of settings, we play a key role in engaging the biological father, step-father, grandparent or other significant male in children's and adolescents' emotional, social and educational development.

But, there are many challenges to achieving this goal. What happens when there is no father or father-figure in a child's life? How do we handle "difficult" fathers? What about fathers who present a highly negative role model? How do we address the cultural differences that impact male involvement with their children? And, shouldn't we be focused on all parents, not just dads?

This workshop will present a strength-based framework for understanding modern fatherhood and its implications for children and families. We will explore why so many fathers are uninvolved, as well as why some fatherhood/parent-involvement programs fail while others succeed. You will learn practical strategies to engage, equip and support fathers in connecting with their children from birth to age 18. Participants will also explore how their own experiences of being fathered impacts their work engaging dads/adult males. Workshop participants will:

• Understand fathers' impact on cognitive growth, social-emotional development and academic achievement
• Discuss practical strategies, interventions and exercises to better engage dads with their families
• Assess how race, culture and ethnicity play a significant role in effectively involving males in children's lives
• Determine best practice approaches to hot-button issues in father-involvement such as dealing with difficult dads and absence of a father-figure
• Obtain tools to start or enhance a father-involvement program.

This workshop will be a powerful learning experience for social workers, clinicians, educators, guidance counselors, parent involvement coordinators, and anyone working with fathers and families. Workshop format includes lecture, documentary film, case examples, and group discussion.

Instructor:

John Badalament, Ed.M., is the author of the newly released Modern Dads Handbook and Director of the PBS documentary, All Men Are Sons: Exploring the Legacy of Fatherhood. He lectures nationally and internationally and is a leader in the fatherhood field. In 2009, he was named as one of the Family Violence Prevention Fund's Heroes. Over the last 16 years, Mr. Badalament has worked in clinical settings as a counselor for adolescents and adults, in schools as Dean, teacher, and coach, and in private practice with couples. He is completing his documentary film entitled Gender Traps: How Marriage Problems Start in Kindergarten. He is a dynamic, practical and enthusiastic speaker.