About the Amplifying Fatherhood Conference
"Amplifying Fatherhood" is the theme for the first-ever Tennessee Fatherhood Conference, hosted by Commissioner Clarence H. Carter and the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS). It is a statewide event to bring awareness around the issues and challenges surrounding fatherhood including but not limited to family relationships, paternity establishment, child support, healthy co-parenting relationships, and self-sufficiency.
All leaders, practitioners, policy makers, state agencies, and community-based programs are welcome and encouraged to join us for this momentous inaugural event! This conference will not only raise awareness of the Fatherhood crisis, but promote the ongoing work in the field of social services and other programs serving fathers.
Registration
Registration is now open for all those based in Tennessee! This statewide event will convene practitioners, researchers, policymakers, leaders, and more to explore the current state of fatherhood in Tennessee and create solutions for families and fathers. To register, click here.
The 2023 Amplifying Fatherhood Conference is sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) and free for registrants; however, attendees must secure their own travel and lodging. There will be limited discounted rooms available at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center so register and book today!
If you’d like to ensure you receive communications about the conference, please join the TDHS listserv.
Featured Speakers
Featured Keynotes:
Clarence H. Carter
Commissioner for the
Tennessee Department of Human Services
Cherrell Campbell-Street
Deputy Commissioner for the
Tennessee Department of Human Services
Kay Coles James
Former Secretary, Commonwealth of Virginia
Dr. Warren Farrell
Author of The Boy Crisis
Dr. Linda Nielsen
Professor of Psychology at
Wake Forest University and Author
Dr. Bradford Wilcox
Professor of Sociology and Director of
the National Marriage Project at The University of Virginia
Featured Moderators:
Rep. Johnny Shaw
Representative of Tennessee (District 80)
Rep. Mark White
Representative of Tennessee (District 83)
Geneva Ware-Rice
Executive Director of
His Sparrow Family Center
Dr. Jerry Askew
Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese
of East Tennessee & Former President of Alliance for Better Nonprofits
Featured Panelists:
Seth Chamberlain
Branch Chief for Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood at Administration for Children and Families
Sharmain Harris
National Speaker and Trainer on
Father Engagement and Justice Reform
Marcus Meneese
Founder and Executive Director
of Stronger Than My Father
John DeBerry
Senior Advisor to Governor Bill Lee and
Former Representative of Tennessee (District 90)
Rep. Chris Sprowls
Former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
Dr. Rufus Sylvester Lynch
Chair of the Strong Families Commission of Pennsylvania
Avis Files
Program Director of Pathway, Inc.
Cheri Tillis
CEO of the Fathers and
Families Support Center
Pat Littlejohn
Former Executive Director of South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families
Commissioner Tanguler Gray
Commissioner of the Office of Child Support Enforcement
Joe Jones
Founder, President, and CEO
of Center for Urban Families
Dr. Cynthia Osborne
Professor of Early Childhood Education and Policy and Executive Director of the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center at Vanderbilt
About the Location
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Situated in the heart of Nashville, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center welcomes guests to a stunning resort experience. Guests can explore nine acres of airy indoor garden atriums and a wide selection of award-winning restaurants & bars. The resort is located near Nashville Intl. Airport, downtown, and attractions like the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium for guests wishing to explore Music City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the “Amplifying Fatherhood” conference and who is the organizer?
A: The 2023 Amplifying Fatherhood conference is hosted by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) to bring awareness around the issues and challenges surrounding fatherhood including, but not limited to family relationships, paternity establishment, child support, healthy co-parenting relationships, and self-sufficiency. This conference will bolster efforts to raise awareness and promote the ongoing work in the field of social services and other programs serving fathers. The audience will include leaders and practitioners involved in every aspect of fatherhood from policymakers, state agencies, community-based programs, and more.
Q: Who will attend the conference?
A: This conference is for advocates, allies, leaders, researchers, changemakers, and practitioners in the field of fatherhood. Attendance is limited to the first 300 registrants and priority will be given to those based in Tennessee.
Q: If I don’t work in the Fatherhood field, but I’m a father in Tennessee, can I come to the conference?
A: While some session content will appeal to dads in the community, much of the Amplifying Fatherhood event is geared toward the practitioners, policymakers, advocates, and community stakeholders who work to support family well-being and father engagement at a systems-level. As such, priority will be given to practitioners who work in the field to attend in-person. There will, however, be a live stream of plenary sessions which you are welcome to watch. Please register online and select the virtual attendance option to access the live streams.
Q: Is there an option to attend the conference virtually?
A: Yes! Plenary sessions will be live streamed for a virtual audience. You must register online to access the live streams.
Q: Will content and materials from the conference be available to attendees after the conference?
A: Yes, all livestream recordings and session materials will be archived on the TDHS website.
Q: I have a question that wasn’t addressed in the FAQs. Can I talk to someone directly?
A: Yes, please email Fatherhood.TDHS@tn.gov and someone from our team will get back to you.
Q: Is there a fee to register?
A: There is no fee to attend the conference! The 2023 Amplifying Fatherhood Conference is sponsored by TDHS and free for registrants; however, attendees must secure their own travel and lodging.
Q: How do notify the planning team about dietary restrictions and/or accessibility needs?
A: When you register, please list all dietary restrictions and accessibility needs. If you have additional concerns, please email Fatherhood.TDHS@tn.gov.