DADVOCATES

DADVOCATESDADVOCATES

AgendaAgenda

• Barriers to father involvementBarriers to father involvement• Benefits of father involvementBenefits of father involvement• Networking opportunities for fathersNetworking opportunities for fathers• Steps for successSteps for success• Resources for fathersResources for fathers

Barriers to Father Barriers to Father ParticipationParticipation

Benefits of Father Benefits of Father InvolvementInvolvement

• Professional Professional PerceptionsPerceptions

• Sense of TeamingSense of Teaming• Family PreservationFamily Preservation• Additional inputAdditional input• Role ModelsRole Models• Better OutcomesBetter Outcomes• Personal Coping Personal Coping

OutletOutlet

Father-to-Father Father-to-Father NetworkingNetworking

• ““Parent” GroupsParent” Groups• Community Community

OutingsOutings• Informal Informal

GatheringsGatherings• Information Information • SupportSupport• Choice of optionsChoice of options

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The first step of the journey The first step of the journey requires dealing with a myriad of requires dealing with a myriad of emotions one experiences when emotions one experiences when becoming the parent of a child becoming the parent of a child with a disability.with a disability.

Acquire the knowledge needed to Acquire the knowledge needed to be able to participate be able to participate meaningfully in the business meaningfully in the business process.process.

Find the path of least resistance using Find the path of least resistance using procedural process to gain the sought‐procedural process to gain the sought‐after outcome for one child.after outcome for one child.

Build long‐lasting effective change by Build long‐lasting effective change by being proactive and working being proactive and working collaboratively.collaboratively.

Information is the change‐agent, and Information is the change‐agent, and dissemination of information to any and dissemination of information to any and all is the key.all is the key.

Engage people in disability advocacy by showing Engage people in disability advocacy by showing them that the only thing separating anyone from them that the only thing separating anyone from disability is time.disability is time.

For clear perspective, focus on three things: that For clear perspective, focus on three things: that your child be gainfully employed, live your child be gainfully employed, live independently, and pursue a quality of life of his independently, and pursue a quality of life of his own determination.own determination.

You are a stakeholder and need to be at the table.You are a stakeholder and need to be at the table.

Define yourself as a child advocate.Define yourself as a child advocate.

Remember that you are role modeling for your Remember that you are role modeling for your child how to be a self advocate.child how to be a self advocate.

Disability communityDisability community

You are not the first. You are not the first.

You are not the last.You are not the last.

In unity lies strength.In unity lies strength.

In knowledge lies power.In knowledge lies power.

Wilbur HawkeWilbur Hawke239.417.3636239.417.3636

wilbur@flafathers.comwilbur@flafathers.com