2026 National Fatherhood Summit
The Fatherhood Mandate: Building Families, Building America — Omni Dallas Hotel, August 3–5, 2026. Review summit outcomes, policy themes, and federal implementation toolkits.
650+
Practitioners & Leaders
42
Evidence Workshops
50
States & Tribal Nations
100%
Open Federal Access
August 3–5, 2026 (Concluded)
Omni Dallas Hotel Dallas, Texas
Office of Family Assistance (ACF / HHS)
Core Policy Themes & Key Takeaways from Dallas
The 2026 National Fatherhood Summit brought together over 650 frontline practitioners, executive directors, state child support commissioners, and researchers at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Under the national mandate "Building Families, Building America," the convening addressed critical modern shifts in how family support systems engage fathers.
1. Child Support Modernization
States are transitioning away from punitive suspension of driver's licenses toward father-friendly employment pathways and state arrears compromise programs that keep fathers financially and emotionally present.
2. Workforce Co-Enrollment
Responsible Fatherhood grantees highlighted integrated funding partnerships combining TANF, SNAP Employment & Training (E&T), and WIOA grants to move fathers into family-sustaining living-wage careers.
3. Paternal Mental Health Equity
Spotlighted research on paternal postpartum depression (affecting 1 in 10 new dads) and culturally resonant peer healing circles designed by grassroots leaders to address paternal trauma and stress.
4. Reentry & Restorative Parenting
Evaluations of InsideOut Dad® in state correctional facilities revealed a 38% reduction in 3-year recidivism when fathers receive active parenting coaching and seamless post-release case management.
Plenary sessions emphasized that engaging fathers is not secondary to maternal-child welfare, but an essential protective factor against childhood poverty, behavioral challenges, and chronic family distress.
Summit Learning Tracks & Curricula Covered
The 42 technical workshops in Dallas were organized around four core implementation tracks:
Track 1: Responsible Parenting & Attachment Science
Deep dives into Harvard serve-and-return interaction science, developmental milestone guidance for toddlers and adolescents, and effective non-violent discipline techniques.
Curricula referenced: 24/7 Dad®, Dads Matter-HV, NFI Fathering Court modules.
Track 2: Non-Adversarial Co-Parenting & Mediation
Practical frameworks for de-escalating parental conflict, structuring balanced parenting-time agreements without high-cost litigation, and supporting blended family adjustments.
Curricula referenced: Within My Reach, Co-Parenting for Successful Kids, mediation intake protocols.
Track 3: Economic Stability, Career Ladders & Asset Building
Strategies for establishing apprenticeship pipelines, driver's license restoration clinics, credit repair cohorts, and entrepreneurship incubators for noncustodial fathers.
Curricula referenced: On My Shoulders, STRIVE Fatherhood Employment Model, DOL WIOA Youth & Fatherhood links.
Track 4: Grant Fidelity, Data Systems & Outcome Evaluation
Best practices for OFA Responsible Fatherhood grant administrators: managing nFORM reporting systems, improving week-4 cohort retention, and conducting rigorous longitudinal surveys.
Curricula referenced: HHS PeerTA frameworks, Mathematica evaluation benchmarks, OPRE research guidelines.
Federal Implementation Toolkits & Documents
Access the federal publications and toolkits distributed during the Dallas summit:
HHS PeerTA 2026 Summit Resource Repository
Official presentations, session transcripts, and agency contact rosters
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) Toolkits
Free practitioner guides, recruitment flyers, and evaluation survey templates
ACF Responsible Fatherhood Grant Opportunities & Policies
Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), eligibility criteria, and award guidelines
2027 National Fatherhood Summit Announcement
The Office of Family Assistance is currently reviewing proposals and host city applications for the biennial 2027 National Fatherhood Summit. Stay connected to be the first to receive notifications on call for workshop proposals, early-bird registration, and travel scholarships.
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