Our Programs
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We don’t have “partnership” in our name for nothing. All of our programming involves working with existing  groups and institutions to help fathers become more involved parents. Among our existing programs are the following:

The Annual Fathers Conference

AuditoriumThe only event of its kind in the Midwest, this all-day event features prominent Keynote Speakers, dozens of workshops,and panel discussions, all on topics of special interest to fathers. Over one thousand men have attended the Conference since 2000. Keynote Speakers have included James Levine of The Fatherhood Project in New York City, Dr. Kyle Pruett of the Yale University School of Medicine, Paul W. Smith of WJR NewsRadio in Detroit, and Devin Scillian of WDIV-TV Channel 4.

The Thirteenth Annual Fathers Conference on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the Oakland Schools Building in Waterford, Michigan (near the Oakland County Courthouse Complex) Click here for more details.

Fathers First

An interactive, hospital- and community-based education program for expectant and new fathers. Fathers First is regularly presented as part of the Parenting Program at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak and Troy, Michigan. Fathers First has also been presented through Head Start groups in the Detroit metropolitan area.

Dad Blog at The Detroit News

In June 2007 The Detroit News launched a new blog for dads on their website, www.detnews.com. Part of the MichDads page, the Dad Blog features five members of the Partnership for Dads Board of Directors: Kevin O’Shea, Chris Edwards, Roger McPhail, Larry Herren, and Mark Wilson. These five me, along with a handful of other Michigan fathers, post comments on issues of interest to dads everywhere. It’s always interesting, sometimes controversial, and even contentious at times. We guarantee that you won’t find anything else like it. You can check out what they have to say, and leave your own comments, at www.detnews.com.

Dads Speak -
The Partnership for Dads Speakers Bureau

Several members of our Board of Directors are prominent speakers on the subjects of fatherhood and parenting:

  • Tom FitzPatrick gets to the heart of balancing the demands of parenthood and marriage;
  • Roger McPhail speaks with passion about giving our sons the special nurturing they need;
  • Chris Edwards explains the importance of rituals in your family’s life;
  • Mark Wilson provides practical tips on discipline;
  • Kevin O’Shea discusses how to parent smarter with less conflict;
  • Larry Herren brings wisdom to the most sensitive subjects parents face;
  • Jay Kalisky shares his expertise on getting fathers more involved in school;
  • Jim Semerad addresses the challenges faced by today’s divorced fathers.

All of these men have a wealth of experience addressing conferences, meetings, and seminars and conducting workshops for audiences from all walks of life. Contact is if you have an event that could benefit from a knowledgeable, energetic, and engaging speaker: even if we cannot supply one ourselves, chances are we can point you in the right direction!

Fatherstyle – Parenting Workshops

A multi-part parenting workshop for fathers of all ages and backgrounds offered through community education and parenting education institutions. Fatherstyle has been presented at The Community House in Birmingham, Michigan

Dads In School

A program that motivates and supports schools and parent organizations to help fathers become more involved in their children’s education.

On Our Drawing Board

BlueprintPartnership for Dads is constantly developing new programs to encourage fathers to connect with their children. In August 2007 we received a grant from the National Fatherhood Initiative to create a Fathers Resource Center Kiosk at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. The Center will consist of a kiosk featuring brochures and other information about involved fatherhood and resources for fathers in our community.

We also have other programs on the drawing board for 2008 and beyond. These include Dads Read, a library-based program to help fathers connect with their children through books and reading, Father Talk, an initiative to educate parents and the community at large regarding the important role fathers can play in helping their older children avoid substance abuse and early sexual behavior, and Sound Dad, Sound Body, a program to offer fathering education through pediatricians’ offices.