2026 Summit Workshops
Keynote
Keynote speaker being announced soon.
Presenter:
Economic Mobility for Fathers and Families: A DTA and DOR Collaboration
This workshop will highlight a collaboration between the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and Child Support Services Program (DOR) to assist fathers with accessing DTA’s Pathways to Work Program, which provides employment and training opportunities to families and individuals.
Presenters: Peter Coulombe, JD, Regional Director Department of Revenue/Child Support Services Division and Kamaria Moore-Hollis, MPA, Associate Commissioner of Employment and Training Programs
Engaging Fathers in Therapeutic Play to Support Early Childhood Mental Health
With a definition of Early Childhood Mental Health centering fathers, learners will consider the critical step of engaging fathers in play to serve young children. We will use the framework of Regulation-Informed Interactive Play with self-reflection and skills practice essential to father-friendly interventions.
Presenters: Christy Moulin, MA, Director, Center for Early Childhood at The Home for Little Wanderers
Fatherhood After Incarceration: Rebuilding Trust and Connection
This interactive workshop focuses on rebuilding fatherhood after incarceration. It centers on restoring trust, reconnecting with children, and navigating emotional challenges. Through lived experience and dialogue, participants will gain practical strategies to support fathers in building healthy, consistent relationships.
Presenters: Toy Burton, Founder and Executive Director of DeeDee's Cry and Joseph Bennett, Founder of YardTime
From Harm to Healing: Engaging Fathers in Change After Violence in the Family
This workshop will explore approaches that promote safety, accountability, and growth for fathers and families impacted by domestic violence (DV). Participants will examine real-world challenges, successes, and promising practices, and learn concrete strategies and tools to engage and support fathers who have used violence while promoting family safety and well-being.
Presenters: Juan Carlos Areán, Ph.D., Program Director at Futures Without Violence
Men's Mental Health
Workshop description coming soon.
Presenters:
Partnering with Fathers in Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
This interactive workshop equips family support professionals with practical tools to intentionally engage fathers as active partners in prevention. Through real-world examples and guided practice, participants will learn strategies for initiating meaningful conversations with fathers about their role in protecting children and strengthening family relationships. Participants will also build coaching skills to support fathers in having ongoing, age-appropriate conversations about bodies, boundaries, and consent, leaving with practical language and increased confidence to bring fathers into prevention efforts.
Presenters: Ana Maria Ramos, BHM, Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Trainer at The Children's Trust of Massachusetts and Chris White, MPA, Fatherhood Initiative Coordinator at The Children's Trust
Promoting Men's Health and Self-care
Workshop description coming soon.
Presenters:
The Incarceration Impact: Fostering the Father-Child Bond Through the Strengthening Families Framework
Parental incarceration can have lasting impacts on families, children, and communities. The Family Connections Center at the NHDOC utilizes the Strengthening Families Framework to provide education, case management, and connection opportunities to incarcerated fathers. With these skills, participants in the program can create, maintain, and strengthen bonds with their children.
Presenters: Tiffani Arsenault, MS in Adult, Juvenile, and Community Corrections, Administrator of the Family Connections Center at the NHDOC and Emma Smith, BA Crim., Case Manager at The Family Connections Center
Thinking Beyond Workshops and Groups: Building a Robust Fatherhood Community
In addition to offering curriculum-based classes and groups, what are other methods of engaging fathers in their roles as caregivers? Come learn about Dad Guild, home to Northern New England’s largest fatherhood community, and what strategies they have used to build a growing network of 2,500+ dads across Vermont.
Presenters: Keegan Albaugh, BA, Founder and Executive Director of Dad Guild and Marlon Fisher, BS, Development Director at Dad Guild
Turing 50 Barriers to Father Engagement into 50 Opportunities for Father Engagement
This interactive training helps professionals working with fathers shift their perspective on engagement barriers. While many obstacles exist, some beyond control, participants are encouraged to reframe these challenges as opportunities to strengthen connections, deepen engagement, and promote positive outcomes for fathers, children, families, and the systems that support them.
Presenters: Abdul-Rahmaan I. Muhammad, LMSW, Executive Director of My People Community Services
Two Homes, One Childhood: A Father-Inclusive Approach for Providers
This interactive workshop explores co-parenting through a father-inclusive, attachment-informed, trauma-aware lens. Participants will examine fathers’ emotional experiences after separation and learn practical strategies to strengthen engagement, support emotional regulation, and foster healthy parent-child attachment across two homes. Case discussions and reflective exercises provide tools for promoting respectful, child-centered co-parenting dynamics.
Presenters: Nancy Ritz, MSOL, Regional Director of Prevention Programs
We Have a Fatherhood Engagement Leadership Team, "What's Next?"
Father Engagement Leadership Teams (FELT) have been established across the Department of Children and Families area offices. Implementation of the core components of the FELT model has varied. Challenges have been identified related to structure, clarity, sustainability, and how to effectively begin the work, while adapting to shifting initiatives & practices.
Presenters: Rob LeBlanc, MIOP, Assessment Social Worker Department of Children and Families and Aaron Tilton, BSCJ, Family Group Conference Coordinator Department of Children and Families