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FEATURED GENERAL LUNCHEON SPEAKER & WELLNESS EXPERIENCE — ONE MORE POWERFUL REASON TO JOIN US
Conference Details, Registration, Hotel, Wellness Oasis & Full Schedule:
https://fathersandfamiliescoalition.org/conferences/27th-international-families-and-fathers-conference-schedule.html
27th International Families and Fathers Conference
Next Generation: Leading Legacies, Building Futures
April 13–16, 2026 | In-Person Only
Hilton Los Angeles Airport | Los Angeles, CA
With more than 60 national and international speakers, interactive institutes, a dedicated Wellness Oasis, and robust vendor and exhibitor opportunities, the International Families and Fathers Conference is designed to nourish the whole professional and the whole person. This is not a conference where wellness is discussed in theory alone—it is practiced, embodied, and lived.
One of the most distinctive experiences of the 2026 conference will take place during our Wednesday, April 15, 2026 General Luncheon, featuring Tai Chi Trainer and Wellness Guide Jordan Allen. His session offers attendees a rare opportunity to slow down, reset their nervous systems, and reconnect with balance in the midst of a high-impact learning environment. This is exactly why FFCA conferences stand apart: we integrate leadership, family systems, mental health, and embodied well-being into one unified experience.
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For the 27th International Families & Fathers Conference Blog Series
A Conversation with Rhonda Stewart-Jones, LICSW-C
For the 27th International Families & Fathers Conference Blog Series
Introduction: A Conference Rooted in Purpose, Humanity, and Professional Excellence
For twenty-seven years, the International Families & Fathers Conference has served as a national and global convening space for professionals committed to strengthening families, advancing mental health, and elevating parent and practitioner engagement. What began in Arizona, when only two of ninety-five fatherhood caseworkers were men, evolved into a multidisciplinary gathering grounded in purpose, humanity, and professional excellence. From its earliest days, the conference has welcomed early childhood specialists, mental health clinicians, Head Start and Early Head Start staff, home-visiting professionals, child welfare and family preservation workers, youth justice and reentry advocates, educators, community development leaders, researchers, supervisors, executive directors, and policy leaders. While father engagement remains a core pillar, the conference has never been limited to fatherhood alone. Its enduring focus has always been family well-being, whole-person development, and supporting the professionals who serve children and communities every day. In December of 2025, I conducted a reflective interview with Rhonda Stewart-Jones, LICSW-C, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of About Face Counseling & Consulting, LLC. Rhonda is a respected mental health professional serving the Washington, D.C., and Alexandria, Virginia region. She joined FFCA as a consultant and speaker during the 2025 International Families & Fathers Conference—her first time attending the event in decades. Our December conversation offered a practitioner-centered reflection on the conference experience and why it continues to resonate across disciplines.
A Dialogue on Learning, Depth, and Transformational Professional Development
When asked about her impressions of the conference, Rhonda responded without hesitation. “I was amazed by the programming.” She explained that what stood out immediately was the breadth and intentionality of the content. “The programming was not just around fatherhood. It focused on families, mental health, trauma, identity, early childhood, and whole-person wellness. It was filled with excellent information.” For Rhonda, the conference was not about moving quickly from one workshop to another. It was about depth, reflection, and meaningful engagement. The learning environment was designed to support real professional growth rather than surface-level participation.
Experiencing Diversity and Inclusion in Practice
One of the most persistent misconceptions about the International Families & Fathers Conference is that it primarily attracts men. Rhonda’s experience challenged that assumption immediately. “It was diverse in every way. There were many women and men, of different ages, and substantial ethnic diversity. It felt balanced and inclusive.” She recalled a moment that remained with her throughout the conference. A woman staying at the hotel, who had not planned to attend, observed the sessions, recognized their quality, and registered on the spot. “That alone says so much about the impact and inclusivity of the event.”
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By Allan Shedlin, Founder of the Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F)
Grampsy and Founder, Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F)
For more than three decades, people have asked me why I’ve devoted my life to working with fathers—helping them become the dads they aspire to be. Every time the holiday season approaches, and my reflective nature kicks into high gear, the answer becomes unmistakably clear.
- I do what I do because I spent much of my childhood yearning for my father to be my daddy—to truly be there.
- I do what I do because I have listened to countless children and youth who carry holes in their hearts shaped exactly like their fathers.
- I do what I do because I have witnessed the tears of men around the world—men aching from the absence of their fathers and longing to be closer to their own children.
And I do what I do because I know that this sadness, this longing, this generational ache is preventable. I know this because I have felt, and continue to feel, the joy of exuberant daddying and granddaddying. It is a joy that nourishes both the giver and the receiver—one born from nurturing children and being emotionally nourished in return. My mission is simple: I want as many families as possible to know that joy.
Celebrating Fatherhood Through Film
During the opening day luncheon at the 27th International Families and Fathers Conference, Next Generation, I will be sharing several new films from our Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F). This festival—now in its fifth year—was created to highlight the profound impact of fathers and father figures. Its purpose is straightforward: to center children and families, elevate emotional authenticity, and celebrate what it means to have or to be an involved, nurturing dad.
It’s not radical. It’s essential.
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The 27th International Families & Fathers Conference
April 13–16, 2026 | Los Angeles, California
For twenty-seven years, the International Families & Fathers Conference has brought together professionals committed to strengthening families, breaking cycles of trauma, and improving outcomes for children and communities. In 2026, we continue this legacy with a powerful four-day gathering in Los Angeles designed for leaders in child welfare, early childhood education, behavioral health, juvenile justice, father-engagement programs, public health, and all family-serving fields.
The work of trauma healing and ACEs prevention is complex. This conference offers an opportunity not only to learn, but to reconnect with purpose, restore your vision, and renew your commitment to the families and communities you serve.
Below are ten spotlight sessions selected for their relevance to trauma-informed practice, ACEs science, mental health, and family resilience—each condensed to a clear two-sentence summary for fast reference.
Spotlight Sessions for Trauma, Mental Health, and ACEs Professionals
Dr. Roderick Logan – “I Was Loved: Embracing Positive Parenting to Foster Resilient Children”
This keynote explores how unconditional love, secure attachment, and attuned parenting protect children from long-term effects of trauma and ACEs. Dr. Logan introduces a resilience-focused framework to strengthen emotional safety and relational well-being.
Dr. Ovett Chapman Jr. – “The Reframe Files: Trauma, Cognition, and Identity Repair”
Dr. Chapman presents a trauma-informed model that transforms limiting beliefs and generational narratives. Participants learn practical reframing strategies that support identity restoration and long-term healing.
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Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC
President & CEO
Fathers and Families Coalition of America
“Are you ready to dive to the bottom of the deep end of the pool… holding your breath… and once again at the top of the water breathe in new, fresh air?” — Dr. James C. Rodríguez
Leadership begins beneath the surface — where noise fades, pride softens, and truth whispers back.
Yesterday, within the Catawba Indian Nation Head Start Program, I invited a room of teachers, social workers, and advocates into that deep silence. Together we descended into purpose, holding our breath long enough to feel what was real — and when we surfaced, the air itself was new.
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Emerging Insights into Generation Alpha: What Parents and Practitioners Need to Know
By Caleb Roose, MDiv
Research & Training Project Manager, Fuller Youth Institute
Founder & Coach, Good Enough Dads
📧
📞 909-351-0720
💼 LinkedIn
Growing Up in a Different World
Growing up today looks different from how it has for any previous generation of teenagers in the United States.
From access to AI chatbots like ChatGPT, to social media–based news sources such as TikTok, to rising political polarization, today’s adolescents are coming of age in a world where both they and the adults guiding them are navigating seismic social and technological shifts.
For those who care about young people, it is essential to continually refresh our understanding of who teenagers are today. While many developmental aspects of adolescence remain the same, Generation Alpha — the youngest cohort of today’s teenagers, born after 2010 — possesses unique characteristics that must be understood to support their growth amid this increasingly complex landscape.
Meaning: Who Is Helping Teenagers Find Answers to Their Biggest Questions?
Like generations before them, teenagers today wrestle with deep questions of identity, belonging, purpose, and faith (Powell & Griffin, 2021).
| Construct | Simple Definition | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | My view of myself | “Who am I?” |
| Belonging | My connection to others | “Where do I fit?” |
| Purpose | My contribution to the world | “What difference can I make?” |
| Faith | My spiritual beliefs and worldview | “What do I believe about God(s), spirituality, and the world?” |
Yet unlike prior generations, Gen Alpha doesn’t just seek answers from parents, teachers, religious leaders, or other trusted adults. They also turn to AI chatbots and strangers online for advice, community, and meaning.
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By Amy Lang, M.A.
Founder, Birds & Bees & Kids
📧
🌐 BirdsAndBeesAndKids.com | BBKPros.com
Love on the Spectrum and the Myth of Incapacity
If you’ve watched Love on the Spectrum, you’ve seen autistic adults navigate dating and relationships with honesty, humor, and hope.
The show does more than entertain—it dismantles a harmful myth: that neurodivergent people aren’t capable of romantic or sexual connection.
We are all sexual beings from birth to death. Our sense of ourselves as sexual, relational people grows and changes throughout life. Yet for neurodivergent kids, this part of development is too often dismissed as “not relevant.” Silence leaves them vulnerable—to exploitation, to shame, and to confusion about consent and body boundaries.
Children with autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergences are at higher risk of being taken advantage of or unintentionally crossing boundaries, not because they’re careless but because adults have failed to teach them. Open, concrete conversations about consent and healthy relationships make these children safer, more confident, and more empowered.
Why Consent Education Matters
When information is delivered in ways children actually understand, they feel respected and secure.
Teaching about consent isn’t optional—it’s a form of protection.
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By Dr. Gloria Andrade, PhD, IMH-E®
Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health, Montclair State University
The Heartbeat of Early Relational Health
When we discuss child development, we often focus on milestones — the first word, the first step, and the first day of school. Yet, behind every milestone is something more profound: a relationship. Early Relational Health (ERH) is the invisible thread that connects these moments, shaping how infants and young children learn to trust, to explore, and to love.
At its core, ERH describes how parents, caregivers, and professionals connect with babies through everyday acts of care — feeding, diapering, bathing, playing, and comforting. It’s present when a doula supports an expectant mother through her first contractions, when a home visitor listens to a father’s fears, or when a childcare teacher holds a crying toddler during the morning goodbye. It’s also reflected in how pediatricians and mental-health consultants help families interpret what a baby’s behaviour is really communicating.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) defines relational health as the ability to form and maintain safe, stable, and nurturing relationships (SSNRs) — protective bonds that buffer the effects of adversity and toxic stress, strengthen the developing brain, and lay the foundation for lifelong physical and mental wellbeing.
Moments that Build Resilience
Research indicates that resilience is not a fixed trait, but rather a skill that develops within caring relationships. According to Willis et al. (2020), Early Relational Health emerges from the positive emotional connection between babies and parents during daily caregiving. These ordinary moments of eye contact, laughter, and co-regulation nurture a child’s sense of safety while strengthening parents’ confidence and emotional well-being.
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By Ashley Stallings, MA
Co-Founder and Executive Director, Upper Valley Child Advocacy Center
Founder and voice of “Audibly Ashley”
When We Talk About Childhood
When we talk about childhood, the conversation too often begins with what went wrong.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have taught us much about the long-term impact of trauma, but focusing only on adversity leaves us with a deficit-based lens.
I often find myself asking: What about the child who experiences love, safety, and connection in the middle of hardship? What about the moments of joy and resilience that shape the rest of their story?
That is where HOPE – Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences comes in. HOPE gives us language and structure to recognise that positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are just as real, measurable, and transformative as adversity itself.
Changing the Narrative
At its heart, HOPE is about changing the narrative. Yes, adversity matters—but so does connection.
By centring on what is strong instead of only what is wrong, we uncover a deeper meaning in our work with children and families. HOPE teaches us that resilience isn’t built in spite of difficulty—it’s nurtured through the protective power of safe, stable, nurturing relationships.
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By Afroz Syed
Written 28 October 2025
When Movement Becomes a Message
For many young girls living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), even the simplest movements — lifting a cup, turning their head, walking across a room — can become both a challenge and a victory. Every motion tells a story of courage. Every pause between steps carries determination. At SMSPP (Society for Multiple Sclerosis Support Pakistan), we believe that hope moves. Movement, in any form, is a declaration of strength against a condition that too often seeks to define those living with it.
Through our work, we’ve seen that girls with MS are not only learning to live with the condition — they’re learning to thrive. With the right medical support, adaptive exercises, and emotional care, every young girl can reclaim her confidence, independence, and joy in movement.
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It can disrupt communication between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, difficulty with balance, or cognitive challenges.
For young girls, these symptoms can impact school performance, friendships, and self-esteem. The unpredictability of the condition — good days followed by flare-ups — can cause frustration and isolation. But through early intervention, adaptive therapies, and community-based support, we can rewrite this story from one of struggle to one of strength.
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By Larry Smith, President & CEO, Fathers and Families Center
For the 27th International Families and Fathers Conference - Next Generation, Los Angeles 2026
A Father's Return — But Not Always His Freedom
A father's body can return from incarceration, but his mind and spirit might remain caged. At Fathers and Families Center (FFC) in Indianapolis, we meet men at that fragile crossroads every day — men stepping back into society but still wrestling with invisible chains of fear, guilt, and hopelessness. Our mission is not only to help these fathers re-enter society, but also to help them reclaim their lives as individuals, parents, partners, and providers.
Across the nation, the statistics are sobering. In many cities, nearly half of those who are released from incarceration return within a few years. Yet at FFC, our recidivism rate among participants remains below 7%. The difference is not luck—it's love with accountability, a proven method grounded in structure, empathy, and a belief in the human spirit. We do not coddle these men. Neither do we condemn them. We love them to life.
Beyond a Job: Building the Whole Man
Reentry programs often stop at employment. But a job alone cannot rebuild a man's soul. At Fathers and Families Center, we've learned that genuine reintegration requires addressing the whole man — his skills, his mind, his home, and his heart.
Our model weaves together six essential supports that create a holistic pathway to success:
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By Dr Rosina McAlpine – Parenting, Work & Family Well-being Expert
The heart of the journey
When I first became a mother, I realised that while I had an abundance of love, hope, and wishes for our child, I didn't have all the skills and knowledge I needed to raise a child who could truly thrive in the world. Despite decades of academic studies, experience teaching at university, and working with evidence-based research, I was suddenly confronted with the humbling truth that perhaps every parent faces: that raising a child is a huge responsibility and requires more than just love and intuition, and instead requires knowledge, experience, and an understanding of child development.
In today's world, we prepare for almost every profession through training, education, and practical experience; yet, the most crucial role of all — raising the next generation of humanity — often relies on instinct, guesswork, trial and error, or mimicking how we ourselves were parented.
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By Dr Rosina McAlpine, MCom (Hons), MHEd, PhD
Parenting, Work & Family Wellbeing Expert
A Moment for Honest Reflection
As educators, parents, and professionals in child and family services, our collective mission is to prepare children and adolescents not just for academic achievement but for life. We strive to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to navigate a complex, fast-changing world.
But in our pursuit of standards, scores, and performance metrics, have we lost sight of what truly matters? Are we nurturing the capabilities that lead to whole-child wellbeing in terms of physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and psychological wellbeing, or perhaps unintentionally, have we missed the mark?
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Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC
President & CEO
Fathers and Families Coalition of America
www.fathersandfamiliescoalition.org
A Journey Through Leadership, Grit, and Legacy
There's something sacred about quiet moments before the sun rises—when the world hasn't yet placed demands on your time, your voice, your energy. It's in these moments that leaders are often born—not through applause, but through awakening.
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By: Wendy Thelese Talley, DSW, MSW, LCSW
Thelese Consulting Group, LLC - Leadership Mastery Elite Academy
The global crisis in leadership we are currently facing is about the imbalance of the workplace's emotional and mental well-being. Organizations are experiencing emotional and mental imbalance caused by uncertainty, stress, and trauma. The World Health Organization (2022) reported that depression and anxiety cost the world economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity. The American Institute of Stress reports that workplace stress costs U.S. businesses over $300 billion annually in absenteeism, turnover, and reduced productivity. Post-pandemic, mental health concerns are at an all-time high, with 76% of workers reporting at least one symptom of burnout (Gallup, 2024).
The Urgency of NOW
The future of work depends on organizations' ability to support the mental health of both individuals and their families. Trauma-informed care organizations go beyond providing wellness programs to integrate well-being into leadership, communication, and day-to-day operations. When leaders build psychological safety and emotional intelligence, they not only enhance performance but also preserve the human stock that fosters innovation and stability (Edmondson, 2019; Goleman, 2004). Leaders, we must remember that our workforce, who are human beings, give purpose and value to the bottom line.
Signs of an unhealthy workplace
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This One Moment That Changes Everything
By Tracey McMillan, Lawyer, Parental Co-ordinator, and CEO – Queensland Family Law Practice
About the Author
An extraordinary advocate for families and reform in the family-law sector, Tracey McMillan is an Australian lawyer, parental co-ordinator, mediator, and CEO of Lawyer Mediator / Queensland Family Law Practice. With over thirty years in the profession, Tracey brings a distinctive blend of intellect, humour, compassion, and unflinching honesty to every conversation about separation and parenting. Her insights bridge neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and law, helping professionals and parents move from crisis to calm.
Follow Tracey and her work:
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By Kwodwo Terron Edwards Sr., Founder of Fathers Making Progress
Legacy Built One Day at a Time
What’s up, everyone? Let’s talk about legacy—not the kind that gets carved into marble or written in textbooks, but the kind you build with your bare hands and your heart day by day. It’s the legacy born from love, grit, and relentless determination. The kind that changes lives, strengthens families, and reshapes communities from the inside out. That’s the story of Fathers Making Progress (FMP), the organization I started twenty years ago, built on faith, struggle, and hope.
The Man Behind the Movement
But before I dive into the work, I’d love to share a little about the man behind it.
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By Dr. Roderick Logan, DPTh, DAAETS Website: www.rodericklogan.com
As fathers, we carry an immense responsibility. We are not just present in our children's lives—we are the architects of their future resilience. Our role is crucial, and the question that keeps many of us awake at night is not whether we love our children, but whether they truly feel that love in ways that will sustain them long after we are gone.
The answer to this question lies in a powerful framework I call I Was Loved. This framework holds particular power for fathers who want to break cycles, build legacies, and raise sons and daughters who know, without question, that they were cherished. It's a tool that empowers us to make a lasting impact on our children's lives.
Think of fatherhood as roots. Not the visible parts of the tree—not the branches that sway in the wind or the leaves that catch the light. Roots. The hidden network beneath the surface that anchors the tree through storms, draws nourishment from deep sources, and determines whether the tree will stand or fall when adversity comes. Our children are the visible growth. However, we are the roots. Moreover, the deeper, stronger, and more intentional our presence, the more resilient they become.
This metaphor is not merely poetic—it reflects the biological reality of how secure attachment literally shapes brain architecture. Just as roots establish the foundation for everything a tree becomes, our consistent, loving presence establishes the neural pathways that determine how our children will navigate relationships, regulate emotions, and respond to adversity for the rest of their lives. The root system we cultivate in our children's early years becomes the unseen infrastructure of their adult well-being.
Meaning: Why This Moment Demands Our Attention
Our children are facing unprecedented mental health challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20% of children aged 3-17 have a diagnosed mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. Anxiety and depression rates among adolescents have increased by more than 50% over the past decade. Suicide has become the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24. As fathers, we witness our children navigating social pressures and digital influences that complicate the parent-child connection in ways previous generations never encountered.
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