Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC
President & Chief Executive Officer
Fathers and Families Coalition of America
Author of The Purpose Within: Rise Out of the Ashes Like the Phoenix • Founder of Borinquen Within Press
Creator & Host of Opportunity Awaits — Lead the Way
Clinical Social Worker • Veteran • International Trainer • Publisher • Podcast Creator • Fatherhood Advocate
Bridging more than four decades of service, clinical practice, fatherhood advocacy, public policy, and coalition-building into work where hope becomes action, leadership becomes service, and families remain the foundation for stronger communities.
Years of Service
Military service, behavioral health, fatherhood advocacy, public policy, and professional education.
Resources Advanced
Programs and initiatives supporting families, fathers, public health, behavioral health, and community systems.
Practitioners Reached
Training connected to father inclusion, family mental health, leadership, public health, and community practice.
Years of Military Service
Began as a Combat Medic and ultimately became a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor.
The Work Across Three Eras
Dr. Rodríguez’s biography is more than a record of positions, awards, and programs. It is the story of how service became practice, practice became movement, and movement is now becoming legacy.
The Foundation Era
Military service, clinical social work, substance abuse counseling, youth work, Head Start, and family advocacy.
The Movement Era
The founding and growth of Fathers and Families Coalition of America, national training, public policy, and international coalition-building.
The Future Era
HOPE Talks, Authors of Impact, Borinquen Within Press, Opportunity Awaits — Lead the Way, and purpose-driven leadership for the next generation.
Full Biography – Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC
Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC, is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Fathers and Families Coalition of America. He is a clinical social worker, veteran, author, publisher, podcast creator, curriculum developer, executive coach, and advocate for the well-being of children, fathers, families, and communities.
His work spans more than four decades across military service, behavioral health, substance abuse counseling, early childhood education, Head Start, child welfare, public health, fatherhood advocacy, leadership development, higher education, public policy, nonprofit leadership, publishing, and professional training. Across each stage of his career, Dr. Rodríguez has worked to build systems that strengthen families, elevate fathers, support children, and prepare professionals to serve with skill, respect, and purpose.
He is known for integrating lived experience with clinical knowledge, military discipline, academic instruction, cultural identity, and systems leadership. A proud father, soldier, social worker, Boricua, author, publisher, and educator, Dr. Rodríguez has built his life’s work around one consistent belief: people and communities can rise when they are given dignity, tools, opportunity, and hope.
Dr. James C. Rodríguez has dedicated over four decades to serving the United States, beginning with his honorable service in the Armed Forces and extending into community initiatives, board leadership, and national advocacy. From military service to leading change in boardrooms and classrooms, James has fought to secure equitable funding and expand access to resources for historically underserved individuals and communities. A lifelong champion of his favorite cause, Head Start, he has helped lead efforts that uplift lives, transform broken systems, and strengthen the intergenerational legacy of families across the nation and around the world.
From the University of Guelph in Canada to La Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, and from the classrooms of the University of Southern California and beyond, James has always felt deeply humbled and honored to stand before future professionals. As someone who grew up in a low-income household, he carries with him a sacred calling—to show others that no matter where you begin, the power within can help you rise. Through every lecture, training, keynote, book, podcast, and mentoring opportunity, he invites others to cultivate their purpose, lead with integrity, and build a legacy rooted in service, healing, and hope.
The Legacy Direction
The past is not simply a record of accomplishments. It is the foundation for what comes next. Through Fathers and Families Coalition of America, The Purpose Within, Borinquen Within Press, Opportunity Awaits — Lead the Way, the Advanced Practitioner Credential™ Course, the OAR Leadership Institute™, Authors of Impact, and the HOPE Talks model for the International Families and Fathers Conference, Dr. Rodríguez continues to build platforms that move people from inspiration to action.
A Legacy of Service
Dr. Rodríguez’s distinguished career began at the age of 17 as a combat medic. That early experience shaped his understanding of service, discipline, crisis response, sacrifice, and the responsibility of caring for others in moments of need.
By the age of 22, he became one of the youngest Substance Abuse Counselors in the Department of Defense. In that role, he supported service members and families facing addiction, stress, transition, trauma, and personal crisis. That experience became a foundation for his later work in clinical social work, behavioral health, fatherhood, family systems, and trauma-informed care.
Over more than 20 years of combined military service, Dr. Rodríguez served in roles connected to law enforcement, crisis response, substance abuse counseling, behavioral health, and mental health support. He served as both a wartime and peacetime veteran, carrying forward the values of duty, honor, service, courage, and accountability.
His commitment to serving at-risk youth earned him the prestigious Points of Light Award from President George H.W. Bush, and later, President Barack Obama honored him with the Presidential Lifetime Call to Service Award for his enduring contributions to society.
National & Global Recognition
Dr. Rodríguez’s service has earned hundreds of awards, certificates, commendations, resolutions, proclamations, and honors from community, governmental, academic, military, tribal, faith-based, and national leaders. These honors reflect a lifetime of dedication to children, fathers, families, veterans, public service, professional education, social work, mental health, and community transformation.
Presidential & National Recognition
- Presidential Lifetime Call to Service Award – President Barack H. Obama
- Points of Light Award – President George H.W. Bush
- Recognition connected to three United States Presidents
- National Social Worker Leadership Resolution – Fathers and Families Coalition of America
Military & Department of Defense Recognition
- Meritorious Service Medal – United States Department of Defense
- Military service recognition and Department of Defense honors
- Recognition as a wartime and peacetime veteran
- Began his military career as a Combat Medic and ultimately became a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor
Congressional, Legislative & Governmental Recognition
- Congressional Certificates and recognitions from national leaders
- Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee
- Congresswoman Maxine Waters
- Congresswoman Diane Watson
- Congresswoman Barbara Lee
- United States Senate, congressional, gubernatorial, mayoral, and tribal recognitions
- California State Senate and California Legislature commendations
- City, county, and state commendations
Tribal, Cultural, Community & Professional Honors
- Qutekcak Native Tribe Ceremonial Elder Proclamation – Alaska
- Tribal Nation and First Nations community recognition
- Community leadership awards and public service commendations
- Academic and professional recognition
- International leadership recognition
- Fatherhood, family strengthening, and child well-being recognition
- Behavioral health and mental health leadership recognition
- Recognition for work with Latino, African American, First Nations, immigrant, Somali, military-connected, low-income, and historically underserved communities
For Dr. Rodríguez, each honor is not simply a personal accomplishment. Each recognition serves as a reminder of responsibility, gratitude, humility, and the obligation to continue serving children, families, fathers, professionals, veterans, and communities.
Building Movements, Securing Resources
As a pioneer in the fatherhood and family advocacy movement, Dr. Rodríguez launched one of Arizona’s early Temporary Assistance for Needy Families-funded fatherhood programs. This work helped support broader investment in responsible fatherhood, healthy relationships, workforce development, child support engagement, reentry support, and community-based family strengthening.
Over the past several decades, Dr. Rodríguez has developed, supported, and led programs and initiatives that have helped secure more than $75 million in funding for family strengthening, fatherhood, public health, behavioral health, child welfare, professional training, leadership development, and community-based services. These efforts have impacted tens of thousands of families and professionals across the United States and abroad.
He is the founder and President & CEO of the Fathers and Families Coalition of America, a once grassroots organization that has evolved into an international nonprofit, now with offices in California, Puerto Rico, and satellite collaborations in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan. FFCA’s annual International Families and Fathers Conference has become one of the leading events globally for thought leaders, educators, clinicians, and policymakers working to empower families and build equitable systems.
Author, Publisher & Podcast Creator
The Purpose Within
Dr. Rodríguez is the author of The Purpose Within: Rise Out of the Ashes Like the Phoenix, purchased by readers internationally. The book reflects his journey through military service, fatherhood, grief, healing, faith, cultural identity, leadership, and purpose.
Borinquen Within Press
He is the Founder of Borinquen Within Press, a purpose-driven publishing platform created to elevate stories rooted in identity, resilience, faith, culture, healing, family, leadership, and legacy.
Opportunity Awaits — Lead the Way
He is the creator and host of Opportunity Awaits — Lead the Way, a podcast dedicated to conversations on purpose, resilience, leadership, mental health, fatherhood, family, wellness, community, and service.
The Future Era: HOPE Talks, Authors of Impact & Purpose-Driven Leadership
The next era of Dr. Rodríguez’s work is centered on building platforms that carry FFCA beyond traditional conference models and into a future of impact, belonging, leadership, wellness, authorship, and action.
HOPE 2027 represents this shift. For the 28th International Families and Fathers Conference, FFCA is moving away from traditional keynote and panel general sessions and introducing HOPE Talks as a central conference experience. This change reflects a clear vision: HOPE is not passive. HOPE is a force that moves people toward action.
HOPE Talks are designed to offer focused, meaningful 15-minute messages that inspire, challenge, and move participants toward purpose. Workshops will continue to provide the tools, models, and practices professionals need. Together, HOPE Talks and workshops create a conference experience where inspiration and implementation work together.
This direction reflects Dr. Rodríguez’s broader leadership approach. His work has never been limited to holding events. His goal has been to create spaces where people leave with greater confidence, practical direction, professional connection, and a clearer sense of what they can do next.
Through HOPE Talks, Authors of Impact, Opportunity Awaits — Lead the Way, Borinquen Within Press, and The Purpose Within, Dr. Rodríguez is building a future-facing platform for voices that teach, heal, challenge, and strengthen communities. This is not a departure from FFCA’s history. It is the next expression of it.
The Foundation Era established the service.
The Movement Era built the organization.
The Future Era is building the legacy.
An Educator Across Borders
Dr. Rodríguez’s commitment to education and mentorship is reflected in his extensive teaching experience. He has served as a professor at the University of Southern California School of Social Work and Arizona State University, and has lectured at institutions including:
- Morehouse College – Atlanta, Georgia
- Columbia University – New York City, New York
- Clark Atlanta University – Atlanta, Georgia
- Howard University – Washington, District of Columbia
- Malcolm X College – Chicago, Illinois
- Elmhurst College – Elmhurst, Illinois
- Harris-Stowe State University – St. Louis, Missouri
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico – Ponce, Puerto Rico
- University of Houston – Houston, Texas
- University of the West Indies – Kingston, Jamaica
- Yale University – New Haven, Connecticut
- University of Guelph – Ontario, Canada
- Navajo Nation – New Mexico
- Qutekcak Native Tribe – Seward, Alaska
- Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community – Arizona
- Sobo Tribal Nation – California
Each place has been a blessing, and every opportunity has served as a reminder of the mentors, elders, leaders, colleagues, students, and communities who helped shape his journey.
His lectures and curriculum have reached learners across North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa — uniting themes of healing, resilience, and transformational leadership.
In addition to his contributions in social services and leadership development, Dr. Rodríguez serves on the Editorial Board of PHYLON: The Clark Atlanta University Review of Race and Culture, a highly regarded academic journal that investigates issues related to race, culture, and social justice. He was appointed to this role by Dr. Obie Clayton, Jr., the Editor of PHYLON and a distinguished scholar in social policy and race relations. His involvement with PHYLON exemplifies his commitment to fostering scholarly discourse on race, family, and community development, as well as supporting research that informs public policy and drives social change.
Groundbreaking Mental Health & Leadership Curriculum
Dr. Rodríguez has authored and developed multiple professional curricula, including the Advanced Practitioner Credential™ Course, the OAR Leadership Institute™, and Including and Elevating Fathers in Family Mental Health Support, which is SAMHSA-approved and has trained over 30,000 practitioners nationally.
His work is rooted in cognitive neuroplasticity, behavioral science, trauma-informed care, noological identity, and emotional intelligence. These trainings are designed not only for social workers and clinicians, but also for educators, faith-based leaders, program directors, and public health professionals.
He has partnered with government agencies, including the City of New York, the State of Maryland Behavioral Health Administration, the Region II Head Start Association, and the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, offering technical assistance, keynote presentations, and advanced leadership training.
Policy & Public Service Impact
Dr. Rodríguez has shaped local, state, tribal, and national policies to improve outcomes for families. He has collaborated with U.S. Congressional leaders, governors, and tribal councils.
- Developing legislation for Connecticut’s Fatherhood Initiative
- Advising Arizona and California legislative task forces on TANF transition and family strengthening policies
- Collaborating with Congressman Danny K. Davis on fatherhood and trauma-informed care legislation
- Delivering testimony before the U.S. Congress Ways and Means Committee
- Hosting national Fireside Policy Roundtables on equity, child support, and education reform
- Advancing father inclusion within child welfare, child support, Head Start, and family service systems
- Supporting public health and behavioral health initiatives focused on culturally responsive family wellness
- Building cross-sector coalitions among public agencies, universities, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and community leaders
His advocacy has consistently challenged systems to become more humane, equitable, inclusive, and responsive. He believes that policy must be connected to dignity, data, compassion, accountability, and the voices of those most affected.
Board Service & Community Leadership
Dr. Rodríguez has served on over ten boards of directors and advisory councils. A sample of his leadership includes:
- 100 Black Men – Arizona Chapter
- AGAPE Adoption Agency of Arizona
- Maricopa County Human Services Department
- Fatherhood Corrections Network – Virginia
- Black Family Preservation Institute – Alabama State University
- Community-based coalitions focused on fatherhood, family strengthening, public health, and youth development
- Faith-based and interfaith partnerships supporting families, fathers, and communities
- Advisory roles connected to social work, behavioral health, leadership development, and public policy
His board and community service reflect his belief that leadership is measured by service, presence, sacrifice, courage, and the willingness to build bridges across communities.
Equity & Innovation in Public Health
Dr. Rodríguez has led several national initiatives focused on mental health equity, early childhood wellness, father engagement, culturally responsive care, public health innovation, and family systems transformation. His work has included projects funded by or connected to:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- State behavioral health systems
- National family and children’s mental health organizations
- Community-based public health initiatives
- Head Start and Early Head Start systems
- Tribal, Latino, African American, Somali, immigrant, and underserved community partnerships
He has developed public health and mental health programs that serve Latino, African American, Somali, First Nations, and underserved communities. His work with the Somali Association of Arizona, the Hispanic/Latino and African American Parent Depression Research Project, and tribal partners has earned widespread recognition for promoting systems transformation and inclusion.
Leadership with Soul
Dr. Rodríguez is the founder of the OAR Leadership Institute, which has provided advanced training to over 2,500 professionals since 2018, and the creator of the Advanced Practitioner Credential™ Course, a global standard for professional development in social work, clinical mental health, and family services.
He is a Certified Executive Leadership Coach, a Master Trainer of The John R. Wooden Course, a Certified DiSC trainer, a curriculum developer, and an advisor to faith-based and secular organizations. His leadership philosophy integrates emotional intelligence, character development, trauma-informed practice, service, spirituality, cultural identity, accountability, and the belief that leadership must be lived with humility, courage, and love.
Dr. Rodríguez teaches that leadership is not about being above others. It is about walking with others, creating space for others, and having the courage to stand in service when it would be easier to step away. His leadership reflects a life shaped by military discipline, clinical wisdom, fatherhood, faith, public service, and lived experience.
Personal Values, Legacy, and Humanity
Dr. Rodríguez’s personal values — rooted in love, empathy, and a deep respect for humanity — are the driving force behind every facet of his work. Above all, he treasures his role as a father and draws inspiration from his own children to create initiatives that support families and strengthen communities.
His work is shaped by his faith and by his respect for people across faith traditions. He believes that love, compassion, forgiveness, service, and mercy are daily responsibilities. His life has been influenced by mentors, elders, family members, faith leaders, soldiers, social workers, fathers, mothers, children, students, colleagues, and communities who helped shape his path.
His story is not one of perfection. It is one of rising. It is the story of a young man from humble beginnings who entered the military, became a counselor, became a social worker, became a professor, built an international organization, trained thousands, served communities, wrote a book, founded a press, created a podcast, and continues to answer the call on his life.
“I am a Boricua. A dad. A soldier. A professional social worker. An advocate. A teacher. A professor. A counselor. An author. A publisher. A podcast creator. And a friend. And with every role, I lead with love and serve with purpose.”
Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC
President & CEO, Fathers and Families Coalition of America
Author of The Purpose Within: Rise Out of the Ashes Like the Phoenix • Founder of Borinquen Within Press
Creator & Host of Opportunity Awaits — Lead the Way
International Trainer • Clinical Social Worker • Veteran • Publisher • Podcast Creator
Advocate for Equity, Fatherhood, Mental Health, Family Strengthening, and Purpose-Driven Leadership
A globally respected voice advancing fatherhood engagement, family wellness, behavioral health education, leadership development, and the belief that every person carries within them the power to rise.
“Be Water, My Friend.”
— Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee’s words remind us to remain open, adaptable, and strong — able to take shape in every season of life, to flow when the path opens, and to endure when the journey becomes difficult.
Dr. James C. Rodríguez reflects: I find this to be one of the most powerful and inspirational quotes of my lifetime. We can become anything we desire. Even when life is flowing with ease, or when obstacles rise and cause a crash, we can still move in the direction of destiny. Like a waterfall descending over stone, meeting the boulders below, and then continuing to flow beautifully downstream, water still gives life. In the same way, we can keep moving, keep becoming, and keep giving life to others through purpose, resilience, and faith.