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Webinar | Making a place for dads: Best practices and standards to engage fathers
October 3 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
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During this webinar, Activate! National participants will share their field experiences and best practices in implementing father engagement programs. They will introduce a model based on standards for executing initiatives involving fathers and father-figures, illustrated through pilot case studies conducted with action research.
More about Activate! National:
Activate! National is a collaborative network empowering underrepresented parenting adults and early childhood (EC) practitioners to transform early childhood systems into equitable and inclusive environments. Together, participants develop resources and presentations to equip families and advocates with the knowledge and skills to advocate for promising practices that improve educational outcomes for BIPOC children and families.
Speakers:
Maria Reza was born in Querétaro, Mexico. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. Her journey as an immigrant instilled a deep appreciation for the support systems that helped her family thrive in the U.S. She is a dedicated advocate for families in Bachman Lake, serving as the designer and implementer of their parent leadership curriculum and mentoring program. With a keen eye for community needs, she coaches and mentors parent leaders to step into influential roles, connecting them with essential resources. Driven by gratitude, she empowers other immigrant mothers to become powerful advocates for their children and families, creating lasting positive change within the community.
Denise Gutierrez was born in Mexico and has lived in Dallas, Texas for 11 years. She is the mother of 4 children, ages 11, 10, 6, and 3. She has participated in many programs in her community, including CAN (Community Action Network, Lumin, AVANCE, HIPPY, The Concilio, etc). This is her third year as a board member for Bachman Lake Together. Denise is also a Family Partner with Help Me Grow North Texas, supporting families in 18 counties in North Texas. Finally, she has been a part of the Parent Advisory Council with KERA for the last two years.
Yolanda Smith is a seasoned educator with over two decades of experience empowering families and fostering child development. Yolanda’s journey began as an elementary teacher, and then later as a HIPPY Home Instructor. Her expertise in curriculum development, program management, and community outreach has been instrumental in creating inclusive early childhood initiatives, particularly for underserved families. Yolanda is especially proud of her work supporting fathers, including those with special needs children, to become active participants in their children’s education.