tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23802199308567140352012-07-25T05:44:37.634-07:00Dads Making A Difference - Fathers and Families Coalition of Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486879586898058429noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380219930856714035.post-31147709737746984862011-11-16T18:52:00.000-08:002011-11-16T18:52:49.224-08:002011-11-16T18:52:49.224-08:00We hope to provide a forum where professionals and parents can seek information and resources internationally. My name is James Rodriguez, CEO/President of<a href="http://www.fathersandfamiliescoalition.org/"> Fathers &amp; Families Coalition of America</a> and national nonprofit with a goal of improving services for fathers and families through professional development, networking, research, program evaluations, and advocacy. However, first and foremost, I am a father of four beautiful children. Well three are now young adults ranging from ages 23-19 and the youngest is only eight. I can share as a father lessons I have learned and pass on from my mistakes/failures how to get up and keep moving forward. This Blog is a place to share the times one has fallen and the triumph of getting on with success. As a younger man I was 24, in the military, married and two young children (ages 2 &amp;1) when our home fragmented and I was left to raise both children as single father. Added to this rewarding time in my life the fact of being a member of the armed forces law enforcement unit and later oversight of substance abuse programs. Those times while challenging provided insight of a single-parent with limited community and no local family support. The point is time goes by so swiftly and now my oldest is married and second oldest is a National Honors Society under-graduate student at a major university.... Also, while the third child is out of state at another university and the youngest revitalizes my soul as a dad. <br /> <br /> Professionally, by helping other agencies <a href="http://fathersandfamiliescoalition.org/national-services/national-program-assestment-tool.html">improve their capacity</a> we can support enhanced services nationally to include developing a national link of service providers as <a href="http://fathersandfamiliescoalition.org/assets/files/FFCA%20AFFILIATE%20DIRECTORY.pdf">official Fathers &amp; Families Coalition of America Affiliates.</a> We have grown over the years and at this, our <a href="http://fathersandfamiliescoalition.org/assets/files/13th%20ANNUAL%20NATIONAL%20FATHERHOOD%20%20FAMILIES%20CONFERENCE%20AGENDA.pdf">13th Annual National Fatherhood &amp; Families Conference</a> a gathering that we are expecting attendance over 650 professionals and parents from all over the nation and a few international attendees concerned about child well-being.<br /> <br /> So join us and use this blog to connect and provide positive information to help us all Make a Difference in the Lives of all Children!<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DadsMakingADifference/~4/Ku0HpHs5-I4" height="1" width="1"/>Dads Making A Difference - Fathers and Families Coalition of Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01486879586898058429noreply@blogger.com2http://fathersandfamiliescoalition.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-blog-community-for-fathers-and.html