I Am Dad

How Father Friendly Judges can use Trauma Informed Strategies to Impact Families from the Bench

This is an enlightening podcast that delves into the pivotal role judges can play in supporting families. It explores how adopting a 'father-friendly' approach and leveraging trauma-informed strategies can transform courtrooms into platforms for positive change, ultimately fostering healthier families and communities. This podcast offers a unique perspective on judicial practice, demonstrating the profound impact judges can have in reshaping the family dynamics and contributing to societal wellbeing.

Understanding Child Support From the Top Down In Louisiana w/ Konitra Jack, Esq.

Konitra Jack is a passionate advocate for family support and the success of every family.  With a wealth of experience and expertise in the field, she brings a unique perspective to discussions on these important topics. Currently serving as the Louisiana CSE Director, Konitra directs the programmatic operations for the child support enforcement section in the state. She joined the Child Support Enforcement team in 2008 as a caseworker in Baton Rouge, LA, and has since made significant contributions to the field.
Hailing from Baker, LA, Konitra is not only a professional leader but also a devoted wife and proud mother of two children, aged 11 and 12. Her personal experiences as a mother further fuel her passion for supporting and empowering fathers in their roles. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics, a Master's in Business Administration, and a Juris Doctorate from the esteemed Southern University Law Center, Konitra possesses a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding family dynamics.
Beyond her role as Louisiana CSE Director, Konitra actively contributes to several organizations in the field. She serves on the Louisiana Support Enforcement Association (LSEA) Board of Directors, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping policies and driving positive change. Konitra also holds significant roles in national organizations such as the National Child Support Engagement Association (NCSEA) Policy & Governmental Relations, NCSEA U, and the Child Support Quarterly Committee as an Editor. Additionally, she co-chairs the National Council of Child Support Directors (NCCSD) Employer Collaboration Committee, which focuses on bridging the gap between employers and child support initiatives, fostering a more supportive environment for parents who pay support.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Konitra is deeply engaged in her community. She serves as a Children's Church teacher at Jubilee Christian Center Church, imparting valuable lessons to children aged 6 to 12. This role allows her to contribute to the growth and development of young minds within a spiritual setting. Additionally, she is the Co-Leader of Girl Scout Troop 10995 in Baton Rouge, where she guides and empowers young girls, helping them develop into confident, resourceful, and compassionate individuals.
With her extensive experience, educational achievements, and unwavering commitment to family support, Konitra Jack is a valuable voice in the field. Her insights and perspectives contribute to meaningful discussions and help shape a more supportive environment for families to thrive.

Bridging the Gap: Involving Dads in Postpartum Care with Doula 4 Dads

JOEL AUSTIN is the Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer for Daddy University Inc. and the Executive Director of The School of Parent Education a 501©3. In this role he serves as a strong, undeniable force in propelling males and responsible parenting to the forefront of the family and community agenda. 
Fueled by his role as a father of four, Mr. Austin is personally and professionally committed to educating and re-educating people about the importance of fatherhood. Through his leadership, Daddy University Inc. has grown into a recognized authority on fatherhood information, support, and training. As a national speaker and skilled facilitator, Mr. Austin presents to thousands across the nation; infusing his passion through audiences and empowering individuals and groups to positively impact the lives of others. 
Mr. Austin is a proud graduate of Cheyney University in Pennsylvania and obtained real-life skills training as a veteran of the U.S. Army. He measures his success by each parent he inspires and attributes his children and family with keeping him focused. He is recognized by his peers as a trailblazer in the field of fatherhood and appreciated by young and more seasoned fathers for his authentic advice, compassionate wisdom, and contagious passion.
Among his many accomplishments; Mr. Austin is the founder of the National Fatherhood and Young Men’s Conference whose message has reached over 58,500 individuals and groups since its inception in 2006. From just a vision the National Fatherhood Conference has become the Largest Fathers Conference on the East Coast and maybe the world.  Mr. Austin founded the conference, as he says, with a dollar and a dream. In 2009 He also founded the Tri-State Daddy Daughter Dance, which has become a tradition that changes the lives of girls everywhere.  Mr. Austin is also the chief facilitator and program developer for the Fathers Club; a free weekly fatherhood training group at three locations in Philadelphia; he services fathers from all backgrounds and ages.

A Father’s Day Conversation with the Commissioner of the Office of Child Support Services

Tanguler Gray serves as the commissioner of the Office of Child Support Services at the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 
Prior to her appointment in the Biden Administration in December 2021, Gray was a deputy commissioner in the Georgia Department of Human Services.  She previously served as the director for the division of child support services in Georgia, with over 26 years of leadership and child support experience there.  Gray has served as a member of the board for the National Child Support Enforcement Association, including president and secretary, and is serving a second term as a board member of the Eastern Regional Interstate Child Support Association.
She graduated from Valdosta State University and has a daughter and a son.

Transforming Loss into Action: A Journey in Addressing Black Maternal Health Disparities

Omari is a Brooklyn born artist. His use of color, dimension, and texture exhibits true raw, and natural talent. The evolution of artistry is evident in his work. His pieces tell stories that are thought provoking, intellectually inspiring, and technically sound.
Omari's life partner, Shamony Gibson, transitioned in 2019 due to medical malpractice after giving birth to their second child. In response, Omari co-founded The ARIAH Foundation. ARIAH utilizes art, education, AND advocacy to mitigate the long-lasting impact of systemic racism and oppression on the sexual, reproductive health and birth outcomes within BIPOC communities.

Fatherhood After Felony: Transformation and Advocacy for Successful Reintegration

Sharmain is a National Speaker, Author, and Trainer in areas of fatherhood and prison reentry. After serving time in prison, Sharmain reentered society with a plan, a passion, and a purpose. Despite the challenges of a felony conviction, Sharmain worked hard to overcome the barriers to a successful entry into society. The birth of his first child in 2014 gave him a deeper reason to achieve success after prison.
In 2015, Sharmain attended a heavily promoted fatherhood event in which he was the only father to show. Seeing an opportunity, he volunteered to host a fatherhood workshop himself. His event was successful and he eventually landed a full-time job as a Father Involvement Coordinator at WIC (Women, Infants & Children). In the first year, he successfully recruited and completed over 100 fathers. During his time at WIC, Sharmain would travel the country to other WIC and Family service organizations to inspire them to focus on fatherhood. His success with the WIC Fathers program was his launching pad to his current success as a speaker and trainer.
In 2020, Sharmain graduated with degrees in Business Management and Marketing at Carthage College. In 2021, he completed his Master’s in Business Design and Innovation at Carthage College.
His turnaround story has led to many awards including the NAACP positive impact and the 20 under 40 award. His story has inspired so many that even the district attorney and his original sentencing judge worked together to release Sharmain from parole 4 years earlier than anticipated. All of his work led to one of the most honorable accomplishments that can be given to someone who turns their life around after prison.
In 2022, Sharmain had all of his legal rights restored after receiving a FULL PARDON from Governor Tony Evers in Wisconsin. He now has a mission to help hundreds of justice-impacted people to be granted a pardon.

Reframing Child Support Outcomes to Strengthen Family Engagement - Sharon Pizzuti

Sharon Pizzuti is an Executive Director at Courtland Consulting – a child support consulting firm in East Lansing, Michigan. She has more than 35 years of combined government and consulting leadership in child support. Her career includes roles as a public servant for the two largest Michigan child support offices, consulting for the Federal and State of Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Federal Department of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics, and for the Michigan Supreme Court, State Court Administrative Office. She’s spent the last 19 years focused on court and human service improvement programs including Fatherhood, Mediation, and Equal Access to Justice work. She is an ERICSA (Eastern Regional Interstate Child Support Association) Executive Board Member, VP of Conference Operations, Chair of the Onsite Committee and serves on finance, exhibitor and sponsor, conference planning, and communications committees. She is a member of the WICSEC (Western Intergovernmental Child Support Engagement Council) Communication and DEI committees. She also serves on the NTCSA (National Tribal Child Support Association) conference planning and advisory committee. Sharon serves as an Executive Board Member and Treasurer for NCSEA (National Child Support Engagement Association) and is an active committee member dedicated to improving court & human services. Her experience, research, and online presence highlights her passion for creating partnerships and intersections for fatherhood programs, community partners and child support agencies. She understands the impact of trauma, barriers, and biases as well as how to connect the right people and agencies to promote equity and inclusion in child support programs and focus on the best interests of children and their families.

Why Fathers Cry at Night w/ Kwame Alexander

Why Fathers Cry at Night is an intimate and non-traditional (or "new-fashioned") memoir, Kwame Alexander shares snapshots of a man learning how to love. He takes us through stories of his parents: from being awkward newlyweds in the sticky Chicago summer of 1967, to the sometimes-confusing ways they showed their love to each other, and for him. He explores his own relationships—his difficulties as a newly wedded, 22-year-old father, and the precariousness of his early marriage working in a jazz club with his second wife. Alexander attempts to deal with the unravelling of his marriage and the grief of his mother's recent passing while sharing the solace he found in learning how to perfect her famous fried chicken dish. With an open heart, Alexander weaves together memories of his past to try and understand his greatest love: his daughters. Full of heartfelt reminisces, family recipes, love poems, and personal letters, Why Fathers Cry at Night inspires bravery and vulnerability in every reader who has experienced the reckless passion, heartbreak, failure, and joy that define the whirlwind woes and wonders of love. 
Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, producer, and #1 New York Times Bestselling author of 36 books, including THE DOOR OF NO RETURN, AN AMERICAN STORY, BECOMING MUHAMMAD ALI, co-authored with James Patterson, REBOUND, which was shortlisted for prestigious UK Carnegie Medal, The Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor-winning picture book, THE UNDEFEATED, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, and his NEWBERY medal-winning middle grade novel, THE CROSSOVER. A regular contributor to NPR's Morning Edition, Kwame is the recipient of numerous awards, including The Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, The Coretta Scott King Author Honor, Three NAACP Image Award Nominations, and the 2017 Inaugural Pat Conroy Legacy Award. In 2018, he opened the Barbara E. Alexander Memorial Library and Health Clinic in Ghana, as a part of LEAP for Ghana, an international literacy program he co-founded. He is the writer and executive producer of THE CROSSOVER TV series on Disney+.

The Importance of Fatherhood Engagement in Youth Educational Outcomes - Vito Borrello

Vito J. Borrello is the first Executive Director for the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE), appointed in September 2014. Since its founding, NAFSCE has addressed systemic issues to advance family, school and community engagement as a strategy for child development, student achievement and school improvement. Initiatives include Reframing the Family Engagement Conversation and the establishment of the National Alliance for Family Engagement; the 18-state State Consortium on Family Engagement in partnership with the Council for Chief State School Officers; and its Family Engagement Consortium on Pre-service Educator Preparation. Prior to his current position, Mr. Borrello served as the 19-year president of Every Person Influences Children, a New York-based organization providing parenting education, and family engagement in education programs. Current National Advisory Board Member roles include Scholastic, and the Center for Education Equity. Recent previous national roles include membership on the National Family, School and Community Engagement Working Group; and two completed terms as both an Appointed and At-Large Board Member for National PTA, where he also served on committees for finance, legislation, resource development, strategic planning and leadership recruitment. He is co-founder and Chairman Emeritus for the NY State Family Engagement Coalition. Prior to his NAFSCE appointment, Mr. Borrello was Chairman of the NY State PTA Urban Initiatives Task Force, Steering Committee member of the NY State Parenting Education Partnership, and a past appointee to NY State Education Department workgroups for Teacher Standards, Striving Readers, and Safe Schools. In his home community of Western New York, Mr. Borrello is a past Board Member for the State University of NY at Buffalo's Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention; past Chairman for the Care Management Coalition of Western New York, and past Board member for Buffalo's Read to Succeed literacy initiative. He is a graduate of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York Fellowship program and a 1998 graduate of Leadership Buffalo. Mr. Borrello has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Wittenberg University and resides in East Amherst, New York with his wife, Maria, and has two daughters, Marisa and Samantha. He commutes to the NAFSCE offices located in Alexandria, Virginia.

Interviews from the 3rd Annual National Returning Citizens Conference

As the CEO of Fathers Incorporated, I am honored to support the White House’s proclamation for Second Chance Month. This significant initiative recognizes the potential for change and growth in every individual, regardless of their past. In our work to empower fathers and strengthen families, we understand the importance of providing opportunities for redemption and transformation.
In the spirit of Second Chance Month, we want to acknowledge the graduates of our Gentle Warriors Academy. These dedicated fathers have come to understand the crucial role they play in the lives of their children, even after making mistakes. They have embraced their journey towards self-improvement and have become a shining example of the power of second chances.