Social Work Month and Fathers and Families Coalition of America Making A Difference

#socialworkmonth #fathersandfamiliescoalitionofamerica

Are you the change you wish to see in the world? March 2020, has certainly taken on new challenges globally but a time of reflection. I write this note to share a few points moving forward during a glance int he rearview mirror of life and purpose. I wanted to become a social worker as a teenager. Now, the field is not one with a lot of Latinos, but there was this person who was "being the change he wanted to see in the world," in Mr. Hiram Rivera-Toro, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Over the decades, I can look back using a handheld mirror to see the influence of his passion helping youth, just like me, and a lifelong legacy shift in the lives of tens of thousands Hiram still posses today. Many children, youth, young parents, families, and older adults globally are seeking for #socialworkstrong professionals and organizations to find their destiny. 

Looking in a full-length mirror, in the reflection, are you making a difference in the world. Who has impacted your life? How have you made an impact in the lives of others? Unknown to you at the moment or ever. March is  #socialworkmonth, and I want to share the talented #socialworkers and others who have made lasting impacts on the development of Fathers and Families Coalition of America. 

The FFCA Community is established by helping professionals of early childhood education and primarily social work. The platforms of professional development allow FFCA to further   #strengtheningfamilies initiatives. We have incorporated an array of #therapist #healthcareprofessionals #practitioners #mentalhealth #earlyheadstart #headstart and others who are making #makingadifference in the #lives of parents and #youngpeople.

We value the professional field of social work. As a graduate of the School of Social Work at the Arizona State University, I understand there still is a need to establish valuable education and professional development opportunities for social workers and others to create men's studies and or father engagement strategies similar to women's studies, family development, and other curricula as we have a change in family formation globally.

FFCA hosted the 21st Annual Families and Fathers Conference that included exceptional social workers that we highlight for Social Work Awareness Month, helping others go to the #nextlevel. Honorable Lynn Johnson, Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families, who is an alumnus of Arizona State University's School of Social Work Master's degree program. #nextlevelleadershipprograms Dr. Armon Perry, Ph.D., MSW, is a Professor in the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville, and his colleague Dr. Cheri Langley, Ph.D., MPH, CHES is a Program Manager in the Kent School of Social Work. Dr. Langley serves as the Program Manager for the 4 Your Child Project. Dr. Kenya Y. (McKinley) Cistrunk is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Mississippi State University. For 15 years, she has served families involved in the juvenile justice system and child protective services. She is currently a co-investigator on a joint research study with Auburn University that examines the parenting experiences of Black fathers who have returned home from prison. 

Dr. Latrice Rollins, Ph.D., MSW is an Assistant Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) in the Department of  Community Health and Preventive Medicine and Adjunct Faculty for the Simmons School of Social Work. Dr. Tasha Alston, Ph.D., MSW, is a social worker and educational psychologist with over 18 years of experience in the field of social work and educational psychology. Dr. Katrina Akande is an Assistant Professor at Auburn University in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. She is also an Extension Specialist in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES). Her research interests include father-child engagement and father involvement. Dr. Douglas Bates is an Assistant Professor of Social Work with Winston Salem State University interest focuses on incarceration and its effect on fathers, children, and families.

Phaetra K. Raney, LCSW, Ph.D. serves as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Cinco Ranch Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, an outpatient mental health and addictions agency, committed to delivering services, education, training, and advocacy to make a difference in the lives of individuals locally and nationally. Wendy Thelese Talley, LCSW, Doctoral Candidate, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the last 19 years in Los Angeles, California. Wendy has taught as an Adjunct Lecturer for the School of Social Work at USC for four years and has appeared on the hit TV show Love Addiction on TV One. Tom Valand, MBA, MSW, is the Program Coordinator for the Fatherhood Program of Routt County, Colorado, and the father of two young children. In his work with the Fatherhood Program, he provides evidence-based classes and workshops and works with men one-on-one as they navigate through their adventures in parenting.  Richelle Burney, LCSW, CSAC, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW/Virginia). Richelle has been providing clinical therapy and other direct care services for the last ten years with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Mark Perlman, who received his master's degree in social work, has been a leader in fatherhood for more than 30-years. Mark has 35 years of experience working with parents, children, and families in strengthening the family bond. He authored The Nurturing Father's Program.  Phyllis P. McNeal, LMSW is a retired Parole Agent ll,
State of California and Founder of Straight Talk. Lisa Mishraky, LMSW, is a Senior Associate working to advance the Center of the Study of Social Policy's public system reform efforts, focusing on the use of data and research to inform policy, decision making, and best practices. She is part of a team responsible for monitoring and providing technical assistance to child welfare systems operating under federal consent decrees to improve practice for children and families. Finally, some of the fantastic social workers who are tirelessly advocating for others or teaching with side-by-side future champions for children and families is a faculty member of FFCA. Dr. Narviar Barker Browne, LMSW, is a Licensed Social Worker and the author of two books, Child Abuse and Neglect: An Interdisciplinary Method of Treatment. She has written more than 30 refereed articles dealing with children, families, and minority health. Dr. Barker Browne is faculty for the Department of Social Work in the College of Health & Human Services at Kennesaw State University. 

Going forward in April, we understand the need to examine the social work profession to go to the next level working on solutions to the problems children, families, elderly, and individuals are challenged right now. This is a time to pour into others that will lead to timely and unexpected positive impacts. FFCA is ready to bridge technology for professional development through our Advanced Practitioner program, starting in April. We are linking stakeholders through three platforms targeted for social policy and justice; networking, and support. Text us Next Level to 31-996 and grow with us, so we collectively support the needs of others. 

Dr. James C. Rodriguez, MSW
President and Chief Executive Officer
Fathers and Families Coalition of America
Let's Go To The Next Level Together

2021 Call for Workshop Proposals Here