In January, over 120 leaders in fatherhood and mentorship programs across Florida gathered in Tampa for Florida’s Fatherhood Summit. This event focused on enhancing services and systems that empower fathers to be an active, loving presence in their children’s lives. The summit brought together the Father First network, with representation from 32 of the 34 nonprofit organizations who are grantees of Florida’s Responsible Fatherhood Initiative, along with 4 CBCs.
DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris welcomed guests and delivered a keynote speech, “We know the positive impact that engaged fathers can have on the lives of their children, and we are so excited to be able to watch Father First grow.”
Leaders received seven trainings across the three-day summit, including:
- Guidance on child support questions from the Florida Department of Revenue to help organizations address their clients’ child support concerns confidently and effectively.
- Consulting and training services on important operational topics such as budgeting and progress tracking.
- Utilizing artificial intelligence in fatherhood programs: discovering how AI can elevate their work by streamlining tracking and reporting tasks, personalizing learning experiences, and exploring new ideas.
“This summit provided a platform for sharing experiences, success stories, and challenges. Each organization has a unique service and support they can provide to fathers and youth,” said Mark Merrill, CEO and President of Family First, the lead implementor of the Father First initiative.
Patrick J. Patterson and Patricia Littlejohn, who have led some of the strongest fatherhood programs across the country, enhanced the training by sharing their extensive real-life experiences and conducting interactive workshops for attendees. Their years of dedication to the fatherhood movement in the U.S. provided guests with valuable insights and support.
Father First provides a network of resources where fathers and families can seek trusted information and vital support on fatherhood. The network empowers parents to thrive, building strong and resilient families in the state for generations to come. Learn more about the organizations involved in Florida’s Father First initiative here.
Florida’s Fatherhood Summit is part of the Father First initiative. Father First and Strong Florida Moms are programs in Florida that support families and parents led by Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis. These programs provide information and resources for pregnancy, parenthood, and community support.
