January 23, 2003

Father Involvement Workshop Set for February 7

“When is Dad coming home?” is a question often asked by young children, teenagers, and spouses alike. Father involvement in family life is often regarded as one of the major social concerns of our time, according to Dr. Sean Brotherson, extension family science specialist with North Dakota State University.  

How can those who work with parents, children and families plan to meaningfully include fathers and promote successful father involvement? What strategies and resources can be beneficial in strengthening a father’s involvement? These issues will be the topic of an upcoming seminar on strengthening father involvement in family life, sponsored by the Region IV Parent Resource Center and the NDSU Extension Service in Grand Forks, N.D.  

The seminar, “New Frontiers in Fathering: Strategies and Resources for Strengthening Father Involvement,” will feature Brotherson and be held in Grand Forks, at the Grand Forks County Office Building from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2003.           

“Engaging fathers in meaningful ways that build on their strengths and value their contributions is important for families and those who work to strengthen family life,” notes Brotherson. “This seminar will provide information and practical ideas for community professionals and others who would like to learn more about strengthening a father’s involvement.”  

Topics include understanding research related to father involvement, effective strategies for working with men and fathers, and practical approaches and resources that are available to strengthen father involvement.  

The training is designed for community professionals or other interested persons who work with parents, children and families, including educators, counselors, child care workers, social workers, health care workers, clergy, parent or family educators and others. 

For more information or to register for the seminar, call Dawnita Nilles at the Region IV Parenting Resource Center at 701-780-8229 or by email at dnilles@ndsuext.nodak.edu. Cost of the seminar is $10.00.  It will be held at the Grand Forks County Office Building, 151 South 4th Street, 6th Floor Conference Room, Grand Forks, N.D.

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Source: Sean Brotherson, (701) 231-6143, sbrother@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu