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elcome to the second convening of a model of collaboration between governments, nonprofits, higher education, faith-based organizations and private sector leadership to improve the lives of children through father involvement and building stronger families. Fathers & Families Coalition of America has been very fortunate to establish relationships to support our global vision to champion capacity building assistance and increase common core standards for professionals working with fathers and families. We could not host this event without exceptional support and leadership from our counterpart in Puerto Rico, Dr. Aida Diaz de Rodríguez, President, Asociación de Maestro de Puerto Rico. Dr. Diaz established AMPR as one of our many FFCA Affiliates and allowed us to join together for a cooperative relationship in a joint action, such as professional development, networking, capacity building assistance and advocacy that together we will host May 28th and 29th at the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel. It takes great time and effort to host a conference and support regional convening. FFCA is honored to have the support ofMs. Joyce Thomas, Regional Administrator, Administration for Children and Families, Region II that includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Ms. Thomas’ commitment to strengthening families has supported now three (3) regional summer institutes to benefit stakeholders in ACF Region II. In 2014, we have the honor of new leadership through the Department of Education of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Department of Education with existing partnerships with early childhood educators, Head Start and Early Head Start. We can now address the role of fathers for child development and education. Additionally, key leaders have participated to infuse a twist to our program that highlights a Hispanic Family Initiative through language and focus on the needs of Hispanic mothers, fathers and children. In addition, we have increased the involvement of other researchers committed to support capacity building that have augmented the development of this summer conference. This conference has the structure to give a virtual academy platform through Live Stream programming, which has allowed individuals from over 80 nations to participate through past venues. Without offering this virtual approach, in high quality professional development and capacity building assistance training, many organizations and individuals simply could not afford the needed help. Far from a perfect method of gaining peer support, we have been able to almost give this away, and many times, in large part, at no cost or solicitation for donations or fees. This platform gives us the capacity to offer FFCA Live to over 140,000 viewer minutes! What an outstanding impact supporting parents, practitioners, directors, board of directors, organizations and communities globally. My desire is that peers from many nations will be able to join us live in Puerto Rico if they cannot physically attend. The FFCA will continue to provide the highest level of professional development. I am hopeful you will join us at the Sheraton Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 28th and 29th, presented to you by executive sponsors: Asociación de Maestro de Puerto Rico & Administration for Children and Families, Region II, Departmento de Educacíon de Puerto Rico with support from U.S. Department of Educationalong with Fathers & Families Coalition of America for a special two-day conference. If you have any questions feel free to call (424) 225-1323 or email us at puertorico@fathersandfamiliescoalition.org. Sincerely,
James C. Rodríguez President and Chief Executive Officer Fathers & Families Coalition of America
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ada perdura más en nuestras vidas que las experiencias que nos nutren desde el seno familiar. Los valores, las costumbres, las aspiraciones y los sentires de cada ser humano nacen y se cultivan en el marco de esas experiencias. La literatura en torno al desarrollo de nuestra niñez confirma que la participación de los padres en el desarrollo de sus hijos guarda estrecha relación con los problemas sociales que viven las sociedades. Muchos de los problemas sociales que están experimentando nuestras sociedades se generan por la ausencia de la dirección, la protección y el amor que se cultiva de la mano de los padres y la familia. Ante este escenario la Asociación de Maestros de Puerto Rico, afiliada al Fathers and Families Coalition se siente comprometida con el desarrollo de programas y actividades dirigidas a fomentar la participación de los padres y familias en la crianza de nuestros niños. Este año nos complace profundamente el poder coauspiciar y darle la bienvenida al 2do Congreso del Caribe de “The Fathers and Families Coalition”. Estamos seguros de que esta actividad provocará en los participantes la necesidad de reflexionar sobre el rol de los padres y la familia en el desarrollo de nuestros niños. Ante el reto de mejorar nuestra calidad de vida es nuestra responsabilidad proveer oportunidades para el desarrollo de cada niño en ambientes sanos. Confiamos en que salgamos de este congreso motivados a desarrollar proyectos que nos ayuden a rescatar el rol de los padres y las familia en el desarrollo de nuestros niños. Bienvenidos todos. Nothing lasts more in our lives than the experiences lived in the familiar sine. The values, the customs, the aspirations, “los sentires” of each human being are nourished of those experiences. The literature confirms that the participation of the parents in the development of children bears narrow relation to the social problems that the societies are experiencing. Each child needs the direction, the protection and the love that is cultivated through the hands of parents and the families. The Asociación de Maestros de Puerto Rico, an affiliate of Fathers and Families Coalition feels endangered with the development of programs and activities that promote the participation of parents and families in the raising of our children. For this reason we are pleased to welcome all the participants and excellent recourses to the 2nd Congress of the Caribbean of “The Fathers and Families Coalition”. We are sure that this activity will cause in the participants the necessity of reflection on the roll of the parents and families in the development of our children. If we want a better quality of life, we are compelled to develop projects that can help us rescue the roll of parents and families in the lives of our children. Welcome all. Welcome everyone.
Aida L. Díaz de Rodríguez President Asociación de Maestros de Puerto Rico
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Dear Colleagues: On behalf of the Administration for Children and Families, Region II, I would like to welcome you to the 2nd Annual Caribbean Regional Fathers & Healthy Families Institute in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am happy to be here with you and hope to have the opportunity to greet you personally during the conference. The Fathers and Families Coalition of America conference is designed to promote new approaches to working with fathers, families, and communities. All education sessions will have a specific and targeted focus on the areas; family strengthening, parental engagement, and responsible fatherhood. Recently, President Obama identified a new initiative to promote Responsible Fatherhood and Father Engagement strategies. This initiative is an opportunity to identify and promote programs that work to help put boys and young men of color on the path to success. This collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to building ladders of opportunity, will take action immediately while planning for long-term success. This new effort will continue and enhance the current work we are doing in the areas of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Healthy Marriage, and Hispanic Outreach. Additionally, this year is the fiftieth anniversary of the “War on Poverty.” Much has been accomplished, but there is still much to be done. “As President Obama stated, “A child’s course in life should be determined not by the zip code she’s born in, but by the strength of her work ethic and the scope of her dreams,” The President is trying to redouble efforts to make sure our economy works for every working American. He hopes to do this by helping our businesses create new jobs with stronger wages and benefits, expanding access to education and health care, rebuilding those communities on the outskirts of hope, and constructing new ladders of opportunity for our people to climb. Thank you for partnering with us. Together, we have met and will continue to meet a host a challenges. I am looking forward to continuing our work together to build and enhance the work that motivates and energizes each of us. Best wishes for a productive conference.
Joyce A. Thomas Regional Administrator
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DAY 1 Conference Workshop Schedule At-A-Glance Wednesday, May 28, 2014 7:00 - 8:00 AM Registration
PLENARY SESSION • 8:30 - 10:00 AM Room
Fortaleza Ballroom
Master of Ceremony:
James C. Rodríguez
President and Chief Executive Officer
Fathers & Families Coalition of America
Opening Remarks:
Profa. Aida L. Díaz de Rodríguez
President
Asociación de Maestros de Puerto Rico
Joyce Thomas, Regional Administrator
Administration for Children and Families
Region II, New York City, NY
Opening Keynote:
Honorable Idalia Colon, Secretary of Family Affairs The Department of Family Affairs of Puerto Rico Departamento de la Familia de Puerto Rico
EDUCATIONAL SESSION I • 10:30 - NOON
Understanding Others by Understanding Yourself Description: This session will focus on understanding our innate behavioral styles that reveal how we view the world and how others view us. Those that will benefit from this session include educators, parents and child caregivers. Gain insight into effective communication, as well as tools for personal and professional growth. Presenter:
Dr. Allen McCray & Sharon McCray
Founders -Life Impact, LLC
Phoenix, Arizona
Room
Fortaleza Ballroom C
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Fatherhood Involvement and Men in Early Childhood Development Description: This presentation will focus on best practices working with men as educators and as engaged parents. The workshop will highlight the benefits/obstacles children face with limited exposure to men at home and schools. Presenter:
Carmen Ayala, Executive Director
Jomael Young, Outreach Coordinator
Visiting Nurses State of New York – Early Head Start
Rockaway, New York
Room
Fortaleza Ballroom B
Role of Parents in the Academic Success of Their Special Needs Children Description: This workshop provides proven strategies to assist fathers in building and sustaining healthy parent/ child relationships and to consistently and meaningfully engage fathers and father figures in their children’s academic and social-emotional development. The focus of this session on children with special needs and how father involvement will improve child and life long outcomes Presenter:
Staff
Asociación de Maestros de Puerto Rico
Room
Fortaleza Ballroom A
LUNCHEON & PLENARY PANEL KEYNOTE • 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM Marco Antonio Davis, Deputy Director White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics Honorable Rafael Román Meléndez The Secretary of Education of Puerto Rico Conference Ambassador
EDUCATIONAL SESSION II • 1:30 - 3:00 PM
Effective Dropout Prevention for All Students Description: Intervening and preventing dropout takes time. It is a developmental process and may take years to complete before a student exits school early and informally. Given the process, educatorscan buffer dropout indicators daily, as parents intervene and prevent youth from dropping out with practical, effective evidence-based practices and strategies.
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Presenter:
Professor Sandra Covington-Smith, Ph.D.
Clemson University
Easley, South Carolina
Room
Fortaleza Ballroom C
Mission Possible: Comprehensive Nurturing Fatherhood Programs Description: There are many variables involved in assisting fathers that require the collaborative efforts of committed community stakeholders, a competent and caring staff, as well as an evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral curriculum. Join us to learn this process and help fathers improve their relationships with their children and their social and economic status. Presenter:
Tammy Wright Plater, M.Sc., Executive Director
Sharron Jarmon, M.Sc. Responsible Fatherhood Facilitator
Supportive Integrated Services Inc.
Shreveport, Louisiana
Room
Fortaleza Ballroom B
Father’s Impact on Reducing Infant Mortality Description: Persons of color, specifically African American and Native American have carried the largest burden of infant mortality in the United States. Fathers play an important role in reducing mothers’ stress. Stress experienced by the mother over her lifespan, as well as during pregnancy, has been associated with preterm birth, which is one of the causes of infant death. This presentation will provide practical strategies for fathers and service providers that can give support to mother during this critical time in their child’s life. Presenter:
Joyce Dickerson West, MSW, National Trainer
William Scott, Program Support Coordinator
Parents as Teachers
St. Louis, Missouri
Room
Fortaleza Ballroom A
AFTERNOON BREAK & NETWORKING • 3:00 - 3:30 PM
EDUCATIONAL SESSION III • 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Unlocking Potential in Youth: A Mentorship Process Description: Rising Stars is a unique inside-out leadership and character development process that “empowers” our youth and young adults to realize their potential. In this session, learn how to give youth tools of empowerment to help them become healthy contributing members of families, schools, communities, workplaces and society. Presenter:
Paula Taylor, Certified Life Coach
Felicia Leija, Certified Life Coach
Life Impact, LLC
Phoenix, Arizona
Room
Fortaleza Ballroom C
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Tips for Alienated Fathers of Daughters Description: This workshop offers a detailed description of the 30 year father-daughter relationship life cycle; important tasks fathers must accomplish to support a daughter’s healthy psychosocial development, how alienated daughters think, how to communicate effectively during the reconnection/restoration/renewal phases and how to avoid unintended mistakes that impact their developing relationship. Presenter:
Karen Davis-Johnson MSW, Founder
Father-Daughter Institute
Chicago, Illinois
Room
Fortaleza Ballroom B
Making Your House a Home Description: A faith-based approach to creating a healthy, loving, caringand nurturing environment within the marriage that will foster the proper atmosphere for raising children. This workshop emphasizes communication, trust, listening to one another, growing together spiritually and conflict resolution. Presenter:
Dr. Calvin Robinson, Pastor
Milford, Connecticut
Room
San Sebastian
Child Support 101: How to Strengthen Families Description: This is a featured session that will discuss how child support programs can provide services to strengthen families. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Region II presents this session for participants how to use the growing program services in the child support system to improve the lives of children through father involvement and building stronger families. Presenters: TBA
Room: TBD
Friend & Follow: Social Media Training Description: HIP-POP Culture: Using 21st Century technology is designed to arm parents, caregivers and educators with essential research-based information regarding today’s Digital Native. This workshop will empower participants to build better relationships with their children to create “A Well-Balanced Media Diet”™, for more positive interaction with technology. (Bilingual Session) Presenter:
Alonzo Edmundo, Chief Technology Officer for Visionary Leaders Institute
Co-founder and COO of Clarity Creative Institute
Room
San Sebastian
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME RECEPTION • 6:00 PM- 6:30 PM DINNER, AWARDS AND DANCE • 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM
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Thursday, May 29, 2014
DAY 2
PLENARY SESSION • 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Honorable Manuel Fernández, Secretario del Departamento de Corrección y Rehabilitación Puerto Rico Room
San Sebastian
EDUCATIONAL SESSION I • 10:00 - NOON
Students with Disabilities in Public Schools: Section 504, Title II Description: The U.S. Department of Education will discuss the rights of parents and students and the responsibilities of public schools regarding the provision of services to students with disabilities. Presenters:
U.S. Department of Education
New York Office for Civil Rights
Room:
TBD
The Autistic Mind: A Young Man’s Struggle Description: An interactive presentation that raises the consciousness of what it is like to be a young adult with autism, and what parents, teachers, and community workers should know providing service and support for special needs children (Bilingual Session). Presenter:
Dr. Yolanda Nieves & Vicente Nieves
Chicago, Illinois
Room
Isla Bonita
Una Alianza Exitosa para la Formación del Carácter de Nuestros Niños y Jóvenes: Integración de la Familia Biológica y la Educativa Description: La educación es un compromiso y una responsabilidad de todos. Un proverbio anónimo indica “que se necesita toda una comunidad para educar a un niño.” Es así, porque cada actividad y experiencia de un niño pasa a ser parte de su biografía; esto es lo que en la actualidad se conoce como aprendizaje. Estas experiencias pueden añadir valor positivo o negativo a la biografía de un niño en formación. Por lo cual, nos toca a todos ser los mejores modelos para la educación formal e informal de nuestros niños y jóvenes. En este proceso de formar el carácter de las generaciones jóvenes, dentro de parámetros de la mejor calidad, la familia biológica y la escuela tienen una responsabilidad principal. Presenter:
Roque Díaz Tizol, Ed.D.
Yabucoa, Puerto Rico
Room
Garita
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There Goes My Life Description: This workshop is to help young parents with tools and resources to manage and balance their lives and the lives of their children. By the end of workshop our goal is to transition their mind from thinking their lives ended because of their kids to seeing their children as their legacy and looking at them with joy saying “There Goes My Life”. Presenter:
Andre Harrison, Founder
The ROLE Call
Staten Island, New York
Room
San Sebastian
LUNCHEON - NOON - 1:00 PM
EDUCATIONAL SESSION II• 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Getting Fathers On Board for School Readiness Description: How an agency can work together across systems and service areas to engage fathers in supporting their children’s learning. Fathers learn about the classroom environment, and the curriculum through engaging concrete experiences as: My fathers a builder; my fathers a chef; my fathers a story teller; my fathers a scientist and more… (Bilingual Session) Presenter:
Alfredo (Freddy) Ruiz, Parent Involvement/Fathers Coordinator
The Leaguers, Inc., Early Head Start/Head Start Program
Newark, New Jersey
Room
Isla Bonita
Case for Relationship Education & Proven Outcomes Description: This research-based case for relationship education is compelling. Learn why relationship education needs to achieve scale restoring blueprints for fatherhood and families in our communities. Learn from the remarkable outcomes of programs delivered to over 60,000 low-income participants across California to help you find your unique voice to address those in need of relationship education.
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Presenter:
Luke Nelson, Relationship & Marriage Educator/Coach
Leucadia, California
Room
Garita
Substance Use and Their Impact among Adolescents Description: This workshop will address the risk factors associated with the use of drugs in Adolescents, substance use effects in this population and evidence-based approaches to treat Adolescent substance use disorders. The training will include protective factors for prevention. ****The workshop will be conducting in Spanish language. Presenter:
Dr. Ibis S. Carrión, Director and Principal Investigator
Institute of Research, Education and Services in Addiction (IRESA)
National Hispanic and Latino ATTC
Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Room
San Sebastian
EDUCATIONAL SESSION III • 2:45 - 4:15 PM
Personal Battles with Addiction and Professional Successes Description: Helping people to identify triggers that lead to substance abuse. Participants will learn how to facilitate fathers in the journey to the road to recovery. Psychology and spiritually will be incorporated to address both the person abusing and their family members. There will be a Q&A session along with resources for the person abusing drugs and family. (Bilingual Session). Presenter:
Carlos Manuel Gonzalez, Chairperson
Westchester Community Health Coalition
Yonkers, New York
Room
Garita
Special Needs Populations: A Neuropsychological Perspective Description: Models of neuropsychological evaluation in children with special health conditions, psychological problems and learning exceptionalities will be presented. The proposed neuropsychological model recognizes the importance of collaborative work between health professionals, family and school staff. Diagnostic identification and the development of educational interventions will be emphasized and exemplified with case discussions. Presenter:
Mary A. Moreno-Torres, Ph.D.
University of Puerto Rico,
Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
Room
Isla Bonita
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Empowerment Movement Description: The purpose of this workshop is to engage, empower and equip parents with practical tools in life. These tools include, but not limited to, communicating for a change, how to set goals and create action plans that will help accomplish those goals and basic life skills that focus identity, accountability and mentorship. (Bilingual Session).
Presenter:
Rev. Juan Garcia, City Coordinator
DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative
Paterson, New Jersey
Room
Isla Bonita
CLOSING PLENARY SESSION • 4:15 - 5:00 PM
Faculty Biographical Sketches Mary A. Moreno, Ph.D. is a Researcher and Associate Professor of Psychology at the Social Science Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. She is also an independent neuropsychologist, whose private practice centers on psychoeducationaland neuropsychological evaluations. Dr. Moreno was part of the team that translated the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS) into Spanish. Dr. Moreno collaborated in the writing of Spanish handouts for Helping Children Learn: Intervention Handouts for Use in School and at Home, Second Edition. Her research areas include Spanish translation and adaptation of psychological measures and the study of cognitive profiles of special populations, such as individuals with attention deficithyperactivity disorder, specific learning disabilities, and diabetes. She is currently the principal investigator in a funded research that utilizes a neuropsychological model of diagnosis to help better the identification of students with learning disabilities in an attempt to decrease school dropout rates. Dr. Moreno’s studies with Hispanic populations have been widely recognized both inside and outside of Latin America. Dr. Ibis S. Carrión’s research and trainer experience is focused on the drug abuse field. Dr. Carrion’s first experience in the research field was as a Research Coordinator for the study Brief and Strategic Family Therapy with Adolescents Active in Drug Use. Later, she participated in the Brief Strategic Family Therapy versus treatment as Usual: Extended Follow-up for Drug Using Adolescents. She was also a of the Puerto Rico Drug Abuse and Research Development Program II, as a principal investigator in the supplement Understanding the Adverse Consequences to Traumatic Events and the Manner that Hispanic Drug Using Women Cope with those Events. At the present time, she
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is the Director and Principal Investigator of the Institute of Research, Education and Services in Addiction (IRESA) composed of the National Hispanic and Latino ATTC, the PR and USVI Area of the Northeast and Caribbean ATTC, CONTIGO/Behavioral Community Clinical Center, Project Woman and a Program Evaluation Division. Dr. Carrion maintains a private clinical practice, which includes adolescent population. She have a vast experience conducting trainings that address evidence-based models to treat people with diagnostic of drugs use. Dr. Sandra Covington Smith holds a Ph.D. in Special Education/Behavioral Disorders and Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Prior to joining NDPC-SD, Dr. Covington Smith has served as an Assistant Research Professor, Adjunct Professor, Director of Adult Day Treatment, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the public and private sectors, Director of Adult Day Treatment, Behavioral Specialist, Mental Health Counselor and Clinician, Developmental and Experimental Psychologist. Dr. Covington Smith develops briefs, documents, and technical responses used by state and local education agencies, policymakers, parents, and community organizations and advocates. She leads and conducts capacity building trainings and technical assistance to state and local education agencies in developing effective replicable dropout prevention programs and interventions. Her interests and areas of research include dropout prevention for students with disabilities, effective vocational rehabilitation counseling and services for students with EBD and transition, early childhood and early intervention as a seamless system for prevention, and the implementation of School-Wide PBS, including early intervention and prevention through
system-wide positive behavior supports and targeted evidence-based interventions for students at risk for academic, behavioral and social failure. Karen Davis-Johnson MSW has been called the “Leading Voice for Fathers and Daughters”. As a Speaker, Trainer Coach for women and fathers of daughters, she specialize in education, restoration and celebration of the Father-Daughter relationship. She provides research informed, curriculum based training via workshops, and one-on-one coaching. As the founder of the Father-Daughter Institute and Editor of the Journal of Father-Daughter Communications she vehemently refutes the term “fatherless” daughter and whole heartily proclaims, during a father’s absence, as long as there is breath there is also hope and possibility for the “Father Absent Daughter” and the restoration of their relationship bond. Karen is the Visionary of the Father-Influence Impact and Possibility online Telesummit where women from across the globe, share their father-daughter journey and his influence on their lives, to inspire daughters, enlighten fathers and elevate both beyond a space of pain and confusion, to a place of understanding, forgiveness and limitless possibility Her original research on paternal influence on female behavioral development; conducted at the University of Chicago, made a significant contribution in the area of neurological imprinting. Alonzo Edmundo is the Chief Technology Officer for Visionary Leaders Institute, as well the co-founder and COO of Clarity Creative Institute, a digital literacy organization, specializing in educational consulting, multi-media presentations, professional development, social media strategies and digital citizenship advocacy. A graduate from Tuskegee University, Mr. Edmundo has over 10 years of experience working with educators, students, parents and community leaders understanding the impact and influence of 21st Century technology. Mr. Edmundo organizes and develops common core-aligned tips, tools and techniques for teachers, administrators, counselors, students and parents to leverage social media and technology for further competency in 21st Century learning and innovation skills through Professional Development for Educators, Student Engagement Workshops and Parent Involvement Workshops. In addition VLI’s TECH21 Team provides one-toone professional development sessions for educators, who will learn ways to cultivate and incorporate technology-based learning methods in the classroom. Mr. Edmundo’s organization Clarity Creative Institute specializes in assisting nonprofit organizations in developing contemporary marketing campaigns, as well as educating these organizations on today’s digital media technologies. Clarity Creative Institute highlights essential 21st Century engagement that is necessary to effectively reach new clients, increase online and offline donations and provide a relevant resource for the community.
Rev. Juan Garcia holds a B.S. degree in Human Services and a B.A. degree in Psychology with a concentration in Family Counseling. He worked for the National Head Start organization in Paterson, NJ and performed Intake and Assessment with Social Services for families in that community. Rev. Garcia serves as a City Coordinator for the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative, which serves and develops leaders geared towards innercity youth. DVULI is based out of Grand Rapids, MI. Rev. Garcia serves as a Board Member for Free Teens, The Institute for Relationship Intelligence and serves on the Advisory Council for Inter Varsity, NJ/NY – a ministry to students on college campuses around the world. Rev. Garcia is also part of a group of men who mentor professional athletes. He is currently a mentor/chaplain to former and current players in the NBA and the NFL. He serves as a consultant for Sports World; a ministry of retired professional athletes to students. Rev. Garcia is a Certified Professional Coach, a member of the International Coach Federation. Rev. Garcia is also a speaker and member of the National Speakers Association, with affiliation to the NJ Chapter. Rev. and Mrs. Garcia have been married since 1996 and have 2 children: Jordan and Hannah. They reside in NJ. Carlos Manuel Gonazalez was born in the Bronx and is a first generation Puerto Rican in NYC. His parents are from Utuado and Yabucoa. They migrated to NYC in the 1950s. Both he and his sister were raised with great morals and values, but even with those privileges, he still had a battle with addiction. Mr. Gonzalez was able to overcome his battle with addiction and use his personal experience into a professional career to help other men and women overcome their battles with addiction. Mr. Gonzalez has 19 years of experience working in the field of addiction. That experience entails developing and implementing programs funded by the AIDS Institute and the CDC, along with individual counseling and group facilitation. Agencies that he has worked with include: United Bronx Parents, Bronx AIDS Services, NY Harm Reduction Educators, Citiwide Harm Reduction, NDRI (The Adam Project) and presently at the Sharing Community of which he is the Coordinator of Prevention Services. Presently, Mr. Gonzalez is the Chairperson of the Westchester Community Health Coalition and an advocate in Washington, D.C. and Albany to continue state funding for continuous services of people battling with substance issues. Andre Harrison is a Fatherhood Engagement Specialist, as well as Director and Founder of The ROLE Call (www.therolecall. org) and author of From a Fatherless Father to His Sons, a book about the lessons he learned growing up without a father, which he uses to teach his sons and young men he mentors. Mr. Harrison has worked with families and youth for over 13 years in schools, community centers, religious organizations and conduct ROLE Call conference in various cities.
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Sharron Jarmon is a Responsible Fatherhood Facilitator for “Faith in Fathers,” a program of Supportive Integrated Services, Inc., located in Shreveport, LA. Her area of expertise includes parenting, relationship enhancement, domestic violence intervention, career development, reentry services and offender job placement. Ms. Jarmon takes pride in being a coalition builder, community organizerand nonprofit consultant. She is the owner of Cultural Connections Unlimited, a nonprofit development consulting firm with a mission of helping others connect to success. She has 20 years of experience in the social sector and is the recipient of many honors, fellowships, and awards. She is a proven leader, accomplished speaker and active volunteer. Ms. Jarmon serves on the Board of Alano Club of Shreveport and Winners Circle Support Network of Louisiana. She is also a member of the Shreveport-Bossier Domestic Violence Coalition, HOPE for the Homeless Coalition, Northwest Louisiana Reentry Coalition, Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ms. Jarmon has a BS degree from Jarvis Christian College, a Master of Liberal Arts degree in Social Science from Baker University and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University. She has two sons and enjoys quilting, visiting historic sites and being outdoors. Dr. Allen McCray is Founder and President of Life Impact, a company that conducts seminars and workshops for personal growth and development, as well as individual counseling and professional coaching. He holds graduate degrees in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy, Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Psychology. He is a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst with in-depth training and experience in professional, personal and relationship growth and development. Dr. McCray has more than 25 years of experience and has conducted seminars, training and workshops in 15 different countries and across the U.S. His broad range of audiences from young adults to CEOs gives Dr. McCray a unique insight to today’s challenges. Luke Nelson is a relationshipand marriage educator/coach/ consultant. Mr. Nelson is a highly experienced consultant and relationship educator with a collaborative, as well as decisive style and facilitates effective and goal-oriented outcomes in varied community as well as corporate setting. Mr. Nelson has extensive experience managing all levels of projects, mission development and implementation, including grant implementation and relationships with community stakeholders. Mr. Nelson also has extensive experience as trainer of trainers in relationship education tools on a national level. He is also a Healthy Relationships International - Leucadia, CA Community Outreach Specialist Master Trainer. Certifications include: Facilitator certifications in World Class Relationships for Work & Home, DiSC Personal Growth Inventory, PREP, Prepare/
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Enrich, and Active Parenting Stronger Families Bellevue, WAExecutive Director. Vicente Nieves is a college student and is on the autism spectrum. Born and raised in Chicago, he is grateful to his father, Dr. Rev. Ramon Nieves, and his mother, Dr. Yolanda Nieves, for having supported his effort to create and present this workshop. Tammy Wright Plater is owner of Community Enrichment Programs, a mental health rehabilitation program, and President of Supportive Integrative Services, a nonprofit organization providing social services to residents of Caddo Parish, Louisiana. Mrs. Wright Plater has worked in the social services field for over 12 years. She is currently the Program Director of Faith in Fathers Program, a Pathways to Responsible Fatherhood grant recipient. Ms. Wright Plater has a BS degree in General Studies-Social Science from Louisiana Tech University and is currently completing an MS degree in Juvenile Justice from Prairie View A&M University. She is happily married with two children and five grandchildren. Dr. Calvin Robinson earned a B.A. in Political Science, an M.A. in Procurement and Acquisitions Management, and the Doctor of Ministry degree. His doctoral dissertation is entitled: How the Church Can Edify and Encourage Youth Ages Eleven Through Fourteen to Avert Illicit Drug Activity. Dr Robinson is a regular guest lecturer for schools in the cities of New Haven and Bridgeport, CT. He is a member of the Pan African Cultural Heritage Institute and awaits his appointment as a member of the Board of Directors. Pastor Robinson has been blessed to preach and teach throughout the east coast of the United States as well as the city of Nairobi, Kenya. Pastor Robinson and his wife of 29 years, Ann, are blessed to have three wonderful children: Avril, Angel and Calvin III. Including all Scripture, Pastor Robinson especially lives by Proverbs 3: 6, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” Alfredo (Freddy) Ruiz is the Parent Involvement/Fathers Coordinator for The Leaguers, Inc. Early Head Start/Head Start Program. He is certified in facilitating parenting groups. Mr. Ruiz sits on the boards of Newark Now Comprehensive Center for Fathers, UMDNJ (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey) New Jersey Children’s Health Project and is one of the co-founders of Stop Shootin, Inc. a grass roots anti-gun violence cessation program. In addition, he is a member of the Young Fathers Program a coalition at UMDNJ’s Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine. Mr. Ruiz is the father of two young adults and has utilized his experiences growing up in the inner city of Newark, NJ to support the de-
velopment of young men (especially young fathers) in achieving their goals and making them understand that it is okay for them to DREAM. Paula Taylor is a Certified Life Coach and Behavioral Analyst with Life Impact LLC, a company that conducts seminars and workshops for personal growth and development, as well as individual counseling and professional coaching. Paula has coached and mentored on the personal level with individuals, youth and families, as well as on the professional level with community partners, corporate leaders and business owners for over 23 years nationally and internationally. Ms. Taylor assists individuals with their personal growth, development and leadership skills. “Successful individuals become the catalyst for change in their family, community, schools and workplace.” Ms. Taylor is a trainer of trainers. She teaches and facilitates on the subject of healthy families and good communication. In addition, she trains life coaches and mentors staff members of organizations on how best to serve their colleagues, organization and community. Ms. Taylor attended UC Berkeley as a Peace Studies major: emphasis in Conflict Resolution and Mediation. Natalie Vesga Abriendo Puertas Project Coordinator at the Latino Policy Forum, oversees all aspects of program coordination and administration. Before leading the state-wide expansion of the program, she worked as a Fair Housing Outreach Coordinator, adult literacy tutor, and youth counselor. Ms. Vesga earned her MSW from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Joyce Dickerson West has extensive home visiting experience in parent support and family literacy programs. Ms. West is currently a national trainer with the Parents as Teachers national office and provides technical assistance to parent educators and their supervisors in 11 of the 22 tribal schools implementing Parents as Teachers where Native language and culture is strongly supported and encouraged through each model component. Ms. West has a bachelor’s in social work from Harding University and a master’s from Saint Louis University. William Scott started his career in early childhood working for the Head Start program. He was a teenage father that learned much of his parenting skills from his grandmother and the St. Louis Fathers Support Center. He now works for the Parents as Teachers National Center as a program support coordinator for the Early Head Start and Head Start program and as a trainer for the Parents as Teachers curriculum and model. Mr. Scott serves on the Prenatal Care and Infant Wellness Collaborative and Partnership for Preconception Health committees through the Maternal Child and Family Health Coalition in St. Louis, MO.
Jomael Young has been the Outreach Coordinator of the VNSNY Fathers First Program for 5 years. Prior to this, he assisted David Jones in facilitating the program for three years. Through the Fathers First program, Mr. Young has been able to service over 2,500 fathers through an array of services such as facilitating workshops, social groups, individual counseling and other services fathers need in the Far Rockaway community. Dr. Roque Díaz Tizol es un yabucoeño que se formó en los Clubes 4H y trascendió ese liderazgo para transformar la vida de este pueblo a través de la educación. A lo largo de su vida cultivó su liderazgo mediante la disciplina, la espiritualidad y la formación del carácter que promulgan los clubes 4H así como la dedicación al estudio. Dr. Díaz Tizol se ha destacado en el sistema educativo y ha sembrado la semilla del saber y del conocimiento a través de sus más de 40 años como educador. Este distinguido educador fue maestro, director de escuelas, super intendente auxiliar, super intendente de escuelas y Subsecretario de Educación. También, Secretario de Educación Interino muchas veces. En su carrera, también ocupó el puesto de Decano de Educación en la Universidad del Turabo y Profesor de la Escuela Graduada. En la actualidad preside la Corporación de Servicios Educativos de Yabucoa, que ofrece opciones de la mejor calidad para adelantar el progreso social, moral y económico de este pueblo. Al momento de su retiro del sistema público y por su interés en seguir aportando a la educación, fundó en 1991, junto con su hija y yerno, la Corporación de Servicios de Yabucoa a la que cariñosamente conocemos como COSEY. COSEY, ese sueño del gran educador, es una empresa puertorriqueña que genera más de 500 empleos para nuestras familias y contribuye al progreso social, moral y económico de este pueblo. Este impacto en la familia puertorriqueña es producto de esa gran visión del empresario educador quien tiene fe en el potencial de la educación y del trabajo para transformar positivamente el entorno social. Dr. Edwin Vega Milán es profesor en Educación Especial y Diferenciada del Departamento Graduado de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras. Tiene bachillerato y maestría en Educación Especial con especialidad en Necesidades Visuales y Retos Significativos. Posee, además, un doctorado en Liderazgo en Instituciones Educativas de la misma universidad en la que hoy labora. Trabajó, durante el periodo de 1986 al 1996, como maestro de niños y jóvenes con necesidades visuales y auditivas combinadas. En el año 1996 inició su pasión por el campo de la asistencia tecnológica la cual perdura hasta el presente. En sus años de experiencia el Profesor Vega ha aprendido que el potencial de los individuos con necesidades especiales no puede diagnosticarse. Desde su perspectiva, este potencial tan sólo puede descubrirs
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