Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network

Presents:

Leveraging the Power of Father Engagement in Supporting

Children and Families in Distress

With: Carolyn Joy Dayton, PhD, LP, LMSW, IMH-E®(IV)

Date: February 20, 2026

Time: 9:00am-11:00am

Location: Virtual - Zoom

Course Description: 

The state of the science is clear – when fathers are involved in the lives of their children, beginning in pregnancy – children, mothers, fathers, and families thrive. This presentation will review the existing research on the influence of father involvement on the health and well-being of children and families. We will discuss barriers to father involvement including paternal mental health struggles and systemic barriers that prevent some fathers from being involved in the lives of their children. Strategies for including fathers in work with children will be presented. Participants will be invited to consider their own work with fathers and families and to identify barriers and solutions to engaging fathers in child and family work. Research on the where, when, why, and how to include fathers in supporting children and families will be described. Fathers are vastly unrepresented in intervention services to children and families. Social policies exist, in fact, that keep many fathers from being involved in the lives of their children. These policies disproportionately affect poor fathers and fathers of color. Including fathers in child-serving programs, changing the laws and policies that inhibit their involvement, and working wholistically with the entire family to uplift the voices of families who are struggling to overcome systemic factors such as racism is an act of social justice. By lifting the voices of fathers, including them in our child and family programs, we increase positive outcomes for children and families.

Course Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to describe at least 3 ways in which fathers are important to healthy child development based on the existing science and considering culture as an important contributor to ways in which fathers are involved with their children

2. Participants will be able to identify at least 3 concrete ways to create a father-friendly culture within their organization

3. Participants will be able to describe at least 3 specific barriers that keep them from working with fathers

Time Agenda:

9:00-9:30am State of the science of the influence of father involvement on child outcomes

9:30am-10:00am Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in fathers

10:00am-10:30am Systemic and other barriers to father involvement

9:30am-11:00am Strategies to engage fathers in child interventions 

Registration / Walk-In Policy

Registration is required. Walk-ins WILL NOT be permitted. Register to ensure your attendance.

Photo Consent

By joining us at this event, attendees consent to Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network's Detroit Wayne Connect photographing, videotaping and using your image and likeness.