Christopher Brown, President of National Fatherhood Initiative
Closing Panel Discussion
About the Discussion
Elevating Fathers: Recognizing and Celebrating the Significant Impact of Engaged Fathers and Father Figures in Child Welfare
Fathers and father figures are essential to the lives of the children, youth, and families we serve. Research shows that outcomes for child wellbeing are enhanced when fathers are intentionally engaged by human service organizations and communities. Even so, our child welfare system has historically gravitated towards a service design and delivery approach that focuses primarily on mothers and children, unintentionally leaving many fathers and father figures feeling forgotten, left out, or undervalued in the lives of children for whom they care deeply.
In this inspiring discussion, panelists will share various perspectives and insights, including lived expertise, on best policies and practices to proactively engage fathers and father figures across the continuum of care. Together, we will have an opportunity to reflect on the history of our traditional approach to child welfare service delivery and look beyond to a future that is more intentionally father-inclusive. Panelists will encourage us to consider the importance of engaging fathers in all aspects of our programs and services, and to reflect upon the important role we all play in creating the greatest possibilities for children and families now and in the future through a whole-family approach that elevates and celebrates fathers.
About Christopher Brown
Christopher A. Brown is president of National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI). Mr. Brown oversees NFI’s strategy and business model development and implementation, operations, and fundraising. He is responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation, and improvement of NFI’s products, programs, training, and services.
Mr. Brown has played a critical role in shaping NFI’s focus as the leading provider of fatherhood skill-building resources in the country and the leading trainer of practitioners seeking to offer fatherhood programs in their communities. In his long tenure with NFI, he has been the organization’s foremost developer of its evidence-based fatherhood programs. He has authored or co-authored flagship NFI programs such as 24/7 Dad® and InsideOut Dad®, its more recent, innovative programs such as Understanding Dad™ and Fathering in 15™, its online certificate trainings, and many workshops, brochures, pocket guides, and other skill-building materials. Mr. Brown trains on NFI programs, provides technical assistance to organizations on how to engage fathers in programs and services, and facilitates strategic planning sessions for organizations and government agencies on how to engage fathers.
An applied anthropologist and author of several journal articles and book chapters on issues related to child health and well-being, he has studied masculinity cross culturally, especially as it applies to fatherhood and men’s health and well-being. He has appeared as a fatherhood expert in media outlets, including the L.A. Times, New York Times, Nick Jr. Magazine, and CNN, and is a past signature contributor for The Huffington Post.