Family & Corrections Network
THE NORTH AMERICAN CONFERENCE ON FATHERS BEHIND BARS
& ON THE STREET
Overview
Family and Corrections Network (FCN) and the National Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families (NPNFF) hosted the North American Conference on Fathers Behind Bars and on the Street in Durham, North Carolina. The conference was held September 13-15, 2000 at the Regal University Hotel. The first conference of its kind, it provided an in-depth exploration of the practice, research and policy issues that impact fathers who live in the community and fathers who are incarcerated in local, state, and federal corrections institutions.
The conference brought together over 240 individuals and organizations from throughout the United States dedicated to serving the needs of fathers and their families, and to addressing the major social, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to the increasing number of children growing up in single-parent homes and in fragile families. Attendees included practitioners, researchers, social service agency staff, governmental officials, policy experts, and advocates working in the fields of community-based and corrections systems-based programs serving fathers and their families.
The conference consisted of plenary sessions, workshops, panel discussions, and seminars presented in three tracks: a Community Track focusing on the delivery of services to fathers and their families through community-based responsible fatherhood programs, a Corrections Track focusing on services and programs for fathers who are incarcerated and their families, and a Theory and Policy Track that will explore major overarching issues that have an impact on fathers and families.
The North American Conference on Fathers Behind Bars and on the Street was supported by a generous grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. To ensure strong participation of families of offenders and ex-offenders, and of fathers participating in community-based responsible fatherhood programs, 25 free admission conference scholarships were awarded to low-income applicants.
Keynote Speakers, Oliver Williams and James Garbarino
Nationally-recognized leaders in research and education efforts to understand the human dynamics of families and communities made plenary presentations at the North American Conference on Fathers Behind Bars and in the Street.
Dr. Oliver Williams, Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota and Executive Director of the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community, presented the keynote address for the conference's opening session on September 13. Dr. Williams is a leading expert on issues relating to the impact of violence on African American families and communities, and is both a practitioner and an academician. In addition to his practice, research, and writing in the field of domestic violence, Dr. Williams writes about ethnically sensitive practice, as well as aging and elder maltreatment. His work has been published in the Journal of Multicultural Social Work, the Journal of Comparative Family Studies, the Journal of Family Violence, and Health and Social Policy.
James Garbarino, PhD, delivered the address at the Thursday, September 14th Luncheon, Lost Boys: Pathways from Childhood Aggression to Youth Violence. Dr. Garbarino is Co-Director of the Family Life Development Center and Elizabeth Lee Vincent Professor of Human Development at Cornell University. Prior to his current position, he served as President of the Erikson Institute for Advanced Study in Child Development. Dr. Garbarino has authored or edited over fifteen books, including his most recent work, Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them (1999), a compelling look at the state of boys and young men in today's world.
A host of workshop and seminar presenters shared their knowledge and expertise during the conference. The conference agenda included Lorin Harris (CS Mott Foundation), Dr. Creasie Finney-Hairston and Dr. Robin Bates (Jane Addams School of Social Work), Theodis Beck (Secretary, NC Department of Corrections), and Linda Mellgren (US/DHHS). Three seminars were presented on Thursday afternoon, September 14th. One seminar addressed a major topic from each of the three tracks, Community (Fathers, Fathering and Fatherhood: A Multi-Cultural Exploration), Corrections (Fatherhood Training for Prisoners: North Carolina's Pilot Project), and Policy & Theory (Workforce Development Issues: Implications for Fatherhood Programs).
A special feature of the conference was the Wednesday night reception dinner, "an Ocracoke Island picnic," followed by an inspiring musical presentation by Dr. Thomas Moore. Dr. Moore is nationally recognized as an early childhood consultant, author and children's recording artist. From a keynote address to 1200 K-12 teachers at Harvard University to a study tour of child care in China, to teacher-training workshops in Nigeria, St. Croix, and Germany, to a solo voice recital at Carnegie Recital Hall, Dr. Moore has created learning experiences that educate and encourage those who teach young children. The reception and concert was presented with the generous support of the National Center for Strategic Nonprofit Planning and Community Leadership.
A unique evening session, "Voices Of Incarcerated Fathers," presented videos produced by ECO, Inc of Charlotte, North Carolina, Washington County (MO) 4-H in Potosi, Missouri, and P B & J Family Services, Inc. in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This project was funded by the Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents.
Much was learned at this conference. We found that those working with families of offenders and those working with low-income fathers have many common concerns. Among these are: the need for employment for dads, a fresh look at child support policy, a concern for empowerment, and an awareness of the precarious balance between risk and resiliency in the lives of our youth. We were encouraged by new statewide fatherhood initiatives in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia that include incarcerated fathers in their service plans. We heard new data on incarcerated parents and their families from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and learned of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Fatherhood Initiative.
The conference received letters of support from North Carolina's Governor James Hunt and from President Bill Clinton, who commended conference organizers "for their leadership and vision." Conference evaluations were enthusiastic. Most evaluators gave the event top marks. Plans are now being made for a second North American Conference on Fathers Behind Bars and on the Street in the year 2002.