A conference today (Monday) at Drake University put on by the Polk County “Families and Fathers Coalition” will bring social-service agencies and businesses together to learn how to strengthen bonds between fathers and kids. Spokesman Dan Raedeker works with Head Start to help involve fathers and kids together. He says responsible fatherhood is key in the education of children and the conference will provide an opportunity for fathers to understand their role in children’s lives. Raedeker says it’s not that the men are missing.He says there are many fathers, they just have to make sure they’re the role models for their own kids and those in their community. Raedeker says sometimes men get caught up in being a breadwinner and don’t think they have a role in the home. He says business has a role in helping workers participate in the lives of their families. He says it’s important for businesses to permit the “flex-time” that will let fathers and mothers take part in their children’s activities. Raedeker says the conference is for everybody. He says it’s for fathers and mothers, and all people in the community, as he says folks from the faith community and others can help educate fathers and help them understand how important they are. Raedeker says reconnecting with their children is as easy as fathers learning what goes on in their schools and about the events happening in their lives. The conference will be staged at Drake’s Olmsted Center. It began at eight this morning and ends at four this afternoon.
