2. Agenda Barriers to father involvementBarriers to father involvement Benefits of father involvementBenefits of father involvement Networking opportunities for fathersNetworking opportunities for fathers Steps for successSteps for success Resources for fathersResources for fathers

3. Barriers to Father Participation

4. Benefits of Father Involvement Professional PerceptionsProfessional Perceptions Sense of TeamingSense of Teaming Family PreservationFamily Preservation Additional inputAdditional input Role Models Role Models Better OutcomesBetter Outcomes Personal Coping OutletPersonal Coping Outlet

5. Father-to-Father Networking “Parent” Groups“Parent” Groups Community OutingsCommunity Outings Informal GatheringsInformal Gatherings InformationInformation SupportSupport Choice of optionsChoice of options /

6.  The first step of the journey requires dealing with a myriad of emotions one experiences when becoming the parent of a child with a disability.  Acquire the knowledge needed to be able to participate meaningfully in the business process.

7.  Find the path of least resistance using procedural process to gain the sought ‐ after outcome for one child.  Build long ‐ lasting effective change by being proactive and working collaboratively.  Information is the change ‐ agent, and dissemination of information to any and all is the key.

8.  Engage people in disability advocacy by showing them that the only thing separating anyone from disability is time.  For clear perspective, focus on three things: that your child be gainfully employed, live independently, and pursue a quality of life of his own determination.  You are a stakeholder and need to be at the table.

9.  Define yourself as a child advocate.  Remember that you are role modeling for your child how to be a self advocate.

10. Disability community You are not the first. You are not the last. In unity lies strength. In knowledge lies power.

11. Wilbur Hawke 239.417.3636wilbur@flafathers.com