Building Bridges of Opportunities, Not Walls of Limitations

April 7-11, 2025 | Live & Interactive via Zoom Webinar
Powered by Fathers and Families Coalition of America
Building Bridges Through Technology & Removing Walls of Limitations

The 26th International Families and Fathers Conference offers a fully immersive virtual experience—directly bringing you world-class speakers, cutting-edge workshops, and meaningful connections. No need to worry about travel arrangements or time away from home. Experience high-impact learning from anywhere without the need for travel. Our virtual format ensures that you can participate in the conference from the comfort of your home or office without compromising the quality of the content.  Real-time interaction with experts and fellow attendees, making your learning experience more engaging and dynamic. Join us from the comfort of your home or office and experience the full power of this transformative event through Zoom Webinar Multi-Language Access.

What Virtual Attendees Will Experience

• Live, interactive access to all general sessions and three breakout workshops per day

• Multi-language accessibility to ensure inclusivity for all attendees

• On-demand content for continued learning at your own pace

• Exclusive networking with professionals, parents, and thought leaders

• Dedicated tech support to provide a seamless conference experience

Full workshop descriptions & speaker bios: https://fathersandfamiliescoalition.org/conferences/building-bridges-schedule.html. Download the Conference App: https://26th-international-families-and-fathers.sessionize.com/

Virtual Conference Registration & Pricing

Attend Any Single Day: $100.00

Bundle All 3 Days (April 8-10, 2025): $170.00 (Best Value!)

Exclusive Bonus for Bundle Registrants:

• QPR Suicide Prevention Certification with CEUs and issued by Florida A&M University 

• Upgrade your experience by adding the Advanced Practitioner Credential Course or Nurturing Fathers Program. Each costs an extra $100.00, but they are discounted by at least $200.00.

Secure Your Virtual Spot Today:https://17121.ezfacility.com/login?SmuFormId=C59894DF-13EB-4E73-94C8-FDD1F35F2EBD

Monday, April 7, 2025 – Virtual Meet & Greet

5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
La Jolla A
Building Bridges Group Meet-Up: Team Almaty, Kazakhstan

La Jolla B
Building Bridges Group Meet-Up: Team Melbourne, Australia

Carmel
Building Bridges Group Meet-Up: Team New Jersey

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – Conference Kickoff  
7:00 AM – 8:25 AM  

International Ballroom (Zoom Webinar Multi-Language Access) – Day 1 Theme: "Inspiring Connections: Building Bridges through Relationships"  
8:30 AM – 10:20 AM  
Opening Day Morning General Session
Speakers:
Bishop Henry Hearns - Welcome Address
Thao Vanessa Tran - Greetings
Dr. Alicia Jackson, PhD - Greetings
Rhonda Stewart Jones, LCSW - Opening Remarks
Tom Krause - Keynote Speaker
Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW - Closing Remarks  
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM  

La Jolla A (Spanish/Hybrid Simultaneous via Zoom Webinar)
Girl Dad: A Daughter's Perspective on What Gets Remembered
Madeline Anderson
  
La Jolla B (Hybrid Workshop)
Breaking the Stereotype: The True Role of Fathers and Their Mental Well-Being
Dr. Ovett Chapman, Ph.D.

Carmel (Hybrid Workshop)
Engaging Families with the 3Rs (Reading, Racial Equity, and Relationships) Dr. Rhonda Hall with Linda Vincent
 
12:00 PM – 1:35 PM  
International Ballroom (Zoom Webinar Multi-Language Access) – Luncheon
Keynote: Creating Inspirational Programs to Strengthen Families  
Remarks Speaker: Dr. Brandi Eichstedt, LMFT
Keynote Speaker Dr. John Van Epp
  
Afternoon Workshops
1:45 PM – 3:00 PM  

La Jolla A (Spanish/Hybrid Simultaneous via Zoom Webinar)
Dads Matter: Empowering Fathers for Positive Child Development and Risk Reduction
Alexander Schwarz
 
La Jolla B (Hybrid Workshop)
Best Practices for Building and Sustaining Father Engagement
Dr. Nicole Scott
  
Carmel (Hybrid Workshop)
The Invisible Parent: Helping Fathers to Be Seen in Society
Dr. Laura Borland

3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Late Afternoon Sessions  

La Jolla A (Spanish/Hybrid Simultaneous via Zoom Webinar)
Empowered Fathers, Safer Mothers: Reducing Maternal Mortality Together Ambrial Ugoji, MSW,
Ashley Torres,
Tatiyana Stubbs

La Jolla B (Hybrid Workshop)
Building Relationships That Last
William Shackelford

Carmel (Hybrid Workshop)
Evaluation of Azhé’e Bidziil: Improving Outcomes Among Rural Fathers Tiffani Begay, MPH, with Jeremy Begay

5:00 PM – 7:15 PM  

La Jolla A (Spanish/Hybrid Simultaneous via Zoom Webinar)
Breaking the Cycle of Trauma - Women2Women Café
Rhonda Stewart Jones, LCSW
 
La Jolla B (Hybrid Workshop) – Men2Men Café
Dr. Chacko Abraham with Bishop Henry Hearns

Wednesday Conference Schedule – April 8, 2025

Early Morning Sessions

7:00 AM | Pacific Ballroom Expo Hall

Early Riser Coffee & Conversation – Let's Inspire Action for Social Justice

7:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Registration Area (Second Floor)

Morning Check-In & Support

Morning General Session

8:25 AM | International Ballroom (Hybrid General Session)

Morning General Session: Getting Off the Cycle of Trauma to Transcendence

1. Juan Solis

2. Carlos Christian

3. Xavier Cardona

Morning Workshops – 10:30 AM Featuring a diverse range of topics to cater to different interests and needs

La Jolla A (Spanish/Hybrid Simultaneous Workshop)

Everyone Assumes Dads Have It Figured Out: They Don't – Dr. Laura Borland

La Jolla B (Hybrid Workshop)

Healing Generations: Addressing Intergenerational Trauma among African American Fathers – William Davis

Carmel (Hybrid Workshop)

I Was Loved – Dr. Roderick Logan, DPTh, DAAETS

Midday General Session

11:55 AM | International Ballroom (Hybrid General Session)

Opening Remarks: Making Lemonade – Dr. Carolyn Curtis, LMFT

Keynote Session: Nurturing Family Positivity – Supporting Mental Health at Home – Dr. Rosina McAlpine, MCom(Hons), MHEd, PhD

Afternoon Check-In & Support

1:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Registration Area (Second Floor)

Afternoon Workshops – 1:35 PM

La Jolla B (Hybrid Workshop)

Empowering Fathers: Strengthening Families Through Collaboration

1. Tammika Fedrick, MA

2. Oliver Walmon

3. Robert Batts III

4. Frank Green

La Jolla A (Spanish/Hybrid Simultaneous Workshop)

Re-Unifying Families: Strategies and Methods to Support Fathers' Participation in Groups

1. Michael Nobles, M.A.

2. Kimberly Murphy, MA

3. Marcus Baker

Carmel (Hybrid Workshop)

How to Be a Father with Faith, Hope, and Love – Eddie Garcia

Networking Break

2:55 PM – 3:25 PM | Pacific Ballroom Expo Hall

Afternoon Networking Expo Break

Afternoon Workshops – 3:30 PM

La Jolla B (Hybrid Workshop)

Live It List™: How It Saved My Life and Can Save Yours – Nicole Middendorf

La Jolla A (Spanish/Hybrid Simultaneous Workshop)

Self-Regulation: Supporting Children to Develop This Important Life Skill – Dr. Rosina McAlpine, MCom(Hons), MHEd, PhD

Carmel (Hybrid Workshop)

Changing the Narrative: Engaging Fathers in Their Children's Education

1. Deborah R. Higdon

2. Chacko Abraham

Evening General Session

5:00 PM | International Ballroom (Hybrid General Session)

Early Morning Sessions

7:00 AM | Pacific Ballroom Expo Hall
Morning Coffee & Networking Break – Early Riser Session

7:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Registration Area (Second Floor)
Morning Check-In & Support

Morning General Sessions

8:00 AM | International Ballroom (Hybrid General Session)
Bridging Generations: Connecting Fathers and Kids Through Film

• Allan Shedlin

9:00 AM | International Ballroom (Hybrid General Session)
Coaching for Wellness: The Path Towards a Life of Flourishing and Fulfillment

• Dr. Anna Marie Frank

• David Kobelin

• Kerry L. Brooks, MBA

• Dr. Rosina McAlpine, MCom(Hons), MHEd, PhD

Morning Workshops – 10:45 AM

La Jolla B (Hybrid Workshop)
Embracing Neurodiversity: Facts, Myths, and Advocacy – Dr. Gloria Andrade

La Jolla A (Spanish/Hybrid Simultaneous Workshop)
Health, Parenting, and Community Perspectives on Black Fatherhood: Defying Stereotypes

• Dr. Tasha Alston, Ph.D., MSW

• Dr. Brianna Lemmons

Carmel (Hybrid Workshop)
Fatherhood & Intersectionality: Navigating Diverse Experiences

• Dr. Laura Borland

• Alana White, MBA, DSW

Luncheon General Session

12:00 PM | International Ballroom (Hybrid General Session)
Socially Just-Us: Fatherhood – A Fireside Chat Luncheon

• Dr. Laura Borland

• Alana White, MBA, DSW

Afternoon Check-In & Support

1:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Registration Area (Second Floor)

Afternoon Workshops – 1:30 PM

La Jolla B (Hybrid Workshop)
Creating an Emotionally Safe Home: Techniques for Family Well-being – Bill Stierle

La Jolla A (Spanish/Hybrid Simultaneous Workshop)
Unlock Your Extraordinary Mental Potential by Rewiring Your Mind! – Dr. Anna Marie Frank

Carmel (Hybrid Workshop)
Decisions vs. Consequences: Understanding the Impact of Choices on Family Dynamics – Marcus Meneese, M.A.

Networking Break

3:00 PM – 3:25 PM | Pacific Ballroom Expo Hall
Afternoon Networking & Expo Break

Afternoon Workshops – 3:30 PM

La Jolla A (Spanish/Hybrid Simultaneous Workshop)
Not Only for Kids: A Workshop on Social Media Branding, Self-Esteem & Self-Expression – Thao Tran

La Jolla B (Hybrid Workshop)
What Is in or on Our Food and What We Should Avoid – Alan Attridge

Carmel (Hybrid Workshop)
Woven Threads: The Tapestry of Fatherhood in a Changing World

• Dr. Laura Borland

• Alana White, MBA, DSW

Evening General Session

5:00 PM | International Ballroom (Hybrid General Session)