A Transformative Experience for Professional Growth
Unlock Your Potential This Summer
Advance Your Practice. Strengthen Families. Lead with Purpose.
Over the past several years, professionals across disciplines—behavioral health, child support services, education, mental health, social work, and fatherhood initiatives—have enrolled in the Advanced Practitioner Credential Course™, the DiSC FFCA Facilitator Training, and the OAR Leadership Institute™.
These trainings offer more than professional development—they provide a transformational experience designed to elevate leadership, cultivate emotional intelligence, and reinforce trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and effective practices.
Participants leave empowered with new tools, deeper insights, and a renewed commitment to serve families, children, and communities at a higher level.
“This credential has strengthened my ability to lead diverse teams while honoring cultural identity.”
– Licensed Mental Health Clinician, California
“The tools I gained help justice-involved parents rebuild family structures with dignity.”
– Deputy Administrator, Illinois Child Support Services
“This program reshaped how I approach leadership in both my career and family.”
– Behavioral Health Program Manager
These voices reflect what we’ve built at Fathers and Families Coalition of America—an unwavering commitment to building bridges that transform individuals, families, and systems. The journey to becoming an Advanced Practitioner™ is not easy—but it is necessary. And the time to begin is now.
Plan Your Journey
Professionals traveling to Los Angeles for the in-person sessions can benefit from our special partnership with Hilton LAX Hotel, adjacent to our training center.
- Room rates starting at $199 per night
- Complimentary parking provided through our Hilton Honors affiliation
This partnership is designed to ensure your training experience is accessible, comfortable, and focused on your development.
Why This Course Matters Now More Than Ever
The Advanced Practitioner Credential Course™ has been redesigned for 2025 to reflect the emerging needs of professionals working with families and systems. Whether you are a new leader or a seasoned practitioner, this course challenges you to grow further. It offers viable, evidence-informed tools that are applicable in real-world settings and relevant across diverse communities.
What You Will Gain
- Recognition as a Certified Advanced Practitioner™
- Practical tools from trauma-informed and culturally responsive models
- Training in DiSC FFCA, PERMA, Motivational Interviewing, and Emotional Intelligence
- A framework to engage fathers, empower families, and improve outcomes
- A community of purpose-driven leaders to build lasting connections with
- A capstone demonstration to showcase your skills and apply them meaningfully
Join the Movement
This is your invitation to rise.
To lead with love.
To invest in yourself and those you serve.
The Advanced Practitioner Credential™ Course
Summer 2025 Cohort • Early Registration Now Open – Fees Start at $200
Unlock Potential. Elevate Impact. Lead Change.
The Advanced Practitioner Credential Course™, a signature program of the Fathers and Families Coalition of America, is an immersive 11-module certification that distinguishes itself through a dynamic approach to leadership and professional excellence.
Whether you are a Head Start professional, fatherhood practitioner, educator, social worker, or clinician, this course provides a powerful opportunity to deepen your skills, broaden your impact, and lead positive change in the lives of children and families.
Backed by evidence-based research, this 17-hour training integrates trauma-informed care, emotional intelligence, cultural responsiveness, and family engagement practices. Grounded in six core competencies and guided by real-world application, the course delivers tools and strategies that drive meaningful transformation.
This is more than a course—it’s a personal and professional journey that empowers you to elevate your practice and leadership.
Seats are limited—register early to secure your spot in this transformative Summer 2025 program.
Summer 2025 Program Schedule
- Live Virtual Course Dates: Wednesdays, June 18 – July 16, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM PST
- In-Person Sessions: June 18 and July 2, 2025
FFCA Training Center – 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90045 - Virtual Option: Full live Zoom access to all sessions
Bonus Add-On for All Participants
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Practices – July 1, 2025
(6-hour intensive)
What’s Included
- Full 11-module credentialed training (17 hours)
- Digital course workbook
- 10+ ready-to-use activities and tools
- End-of-course exam and certification
- Personalized feedback on your practicum
Updated Registration Fee Structure – 2025
We understand the evolving demands professionals face in 2025. Our updated fee structure ensures accessibility and value for your professional growth:
| Registration Period | Fee |
|---|---|
| Early Registration – Up to 4 days before class start date | $200.00 |
| Standard Registration – 3 days before class start date | $325.00 |
| Late Registration – Day of course start | $400.00 |
Why Register Early?
Early Registration saves you money and positions you for success. You'll receive early access to course materials and priority communication—giving you a valuable head start in one of the most impactful credentialing programs available.
All Registration Fees Include
- Access to the full 11-module, 17-hour credentialed training
- Digital course workbook
- Over 10 ready-to-use workbook activities for your practice or parent education programs
- End-of-course exam and certification
- Evaluation and feedback on your practicum demonstration
Important Notes
- Space is limited—early registration is strongly encouraged to ensure timely access to materials.
- Group rates and agency billing options are available. Contact us at james.rodriguez@fathersandfamiliescoalition.org.
| Date | Format | Time (Pacific) | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/18 | Hybrid | 12:00 – 4:00 PM | FFCA Training Center | Opening Intensive Session |
| 6/25 | Virtual | 12:00 – 4:00 PM | Zoom | Live Interactive Training |
| 6/30 | In-Person/Hybrid | 12:00 – 4:00 PM | FFCA Training Center | Bonus: Grounding Techniques with Mindfulness & Love |
| 7/1 | In-Person/Hybrid | 12:00 – 4:00 PM | FFCA Training Center | Bonus: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Practices |
| 7/2 | Hybrid | 12:00 – 4:00 PM | FFCA Training Center | Applied Leadership and Strategy Intensive |
| 7/9 | Virtual | 12:00 – 4:00 PM | Zoom | Theoretical Integration and Application |
| 7/16 | Virtual | 12:00 – 4:00 PM | Zoom | Final Reflection, Demonstration, and Credential Assessment |
DiSC FFCA Facilitator Training
Elevate Your Impact as a Certified DiSC FFCA Facilitator
The DiSC FFCA Facilitator Training empowers leaders, trainers, and professionals with the tools to foster improved communication, strengthen team dynamics, and elevate leadership practices through the proven DiSC model—uniquely adapted by the Fathers and Families Coalition of America.
Participants gain in-depth understanding of personality styles and learn how to apply DiSC insights within trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family-focused environments.
What You Will Gain
- Certification as a DiSC FFCA Facilitator
- Advanced techniques for facilitating DiSC workshops and coaching sessions
- Integration of DiSC with trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices
- Tools to strengthen team cohesion, leadership effectiveness, and communication
- Exclusive FFCA-designed DiSC training materials and facilitator guide
DiSC Training of Trainers Program
Fall 2025 Enrollment is Open Now!
The Fathers and Families Coalition of America (FFCA) invites you to join our DiSC Training of Trainers Program, an impactful opportunity to explore and apply the FFCA DiSC Model. This program is designed for professionals seeking to improve communication, enhance leadership capacity, and strengthen team dynamics across diverse settings.
FFCA has trained more than 1,000 individuals through this model, and this certification course continues to serve practitioners, independent consultants, and approved FFCA faculty members nationwide.
Participants will receive a digital copy of our exclusive training manual: “Discovering The Best of You DiSC Course: A Guide for Helping Others Get to the Next Level™”—a hands-on resource for coaching, mentoring, and facilitating transformative conversations.
Program Format
- 4-week virtual course
- Total Instruction Time: 10 hours
- Live sessions only – no on-demand option
- Includes weekly open Q&A time from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM PST
- Core training from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM PST on Tuesdays
Upcoming Program Dates
- End of Summer DiSC Class: September 9, 2025 – September 30, 2025
- Fall DiSC Class: October 7, 2025 – October 28, 2025
- Winter DiSC Class: No classes offered during Winter 2025
Certification Benefits
- Use of the FFCA DiSC Model within your organization
- Certification to train others as a facilitator
- Eligibility to join the FFCA Faculty network
Program Schedule – End of Summer 2025 Cohort
| Date | Session Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| September 9, 2025 | Orientation to the FFCA DiSC Model | Overview of the FFCA DiSC framework and course expectations |
| September 16, 2025 | Emotions & DiSC Styles / Trauma & Masking | How emotional patterns and trauma influence personality styles and professional interactions |
| September 23, 2025 | Self-Awareness & Communication Environments | Understanding how lived experience and setting influence communication and leadership |
| September 30, 2025 | Pedagogy and DiSC Integration | Applying adult learning principles and facilitation techniques to teach DiSC effectively |
| October 7, 2025 | Teaching Practicum & Final Exam | Participants demonstrate applied skills and complete the final certification assessment |
Format: 5-week live virtual training (no on-demand playback)
Total Instruction Time: 10 hours live instruction + 2.5 hours optional Q&A
Weekly Schedule: Tuesdays
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM PST: Optional Q&A Parking Lot
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM PST: Live FFCA DiSC Training
For More Information or to Register
Program Schedule – Fall 2025 Cohort
| Date | Session Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| October 7, 2025 | Orientation to the FFCA DiSC Model | Overview of the FFCA DiSC framework and course expectations |
| October 14, 2025 | Emotions & DiSC Styles / Trauma & Masking | How emotional patterns and trauma influence personality styles and professional interactions |
| October 21, 2025 | Self-Awareness & Communication Environments | Understanding how lived experience and setting influence communication and leadership |
| October 28, 2025 | Pedagogy and DiSC Integration | Applying adult learning principles and facilitation techniques to teach DiSC effectively |
| November 4, 2025 | Teaching Practicum & Final Exam | Participants demonstrate applied skills and complete the final certification assessment |
QPR Suicide Prevention Training Program
Mental health is a global priority. Suicide remains one of the most preventable causes of death—and yet one of the most difficult to address without training.
In 2025 alone, we have trained Gatekeepers from Hawaii to New York, empowering professionals, parents, educators, and advocates with the skills to save lives and promote mental wellness in their communities.
As the federal landscape for mental health training and technical assistance evolves, the Fathers and Families Coalition of America remains steadfast in our mission:
to deliver high-quality, evidence-based, and culturally responsive QPR training as part of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) international resource for individuals, organizations, and communities across the United States—and, through technology, globally.
Whether you are a professional seeking CEUs, a parent wanting to protect loved ones, or an organizational leader building community capacity—this training is for you.
Join the QPR Suicide Prevention Program
Suicide remains one of the most urgent—and most preventable—public health crises of our time. Every life matters. Every action counts.
The QPR Suicide Prevention Certification Program empowers everyday individuals with life-saving skills: Question, Persuade, and Refer. In just 2.5 hours, you will learn how to recognize warning signs, offer hope, and connect those in crisis with professional help.
This is not just a training. It is an opportunity to be part of a growing network of Gatekeepers across the nation and the world—leaders, parents, educators, clinicians, advocates—who stand ready to intervene and save lives.
Why This Training Matters Now
September is Suicide Prevention Month—a time to raise awareness, strengthen community capacity, and take action. With rates of suicide continuing to rise in many communities, the need for trained Gatekeepers has never been greater.
At the Fathers and Families Coalition of America (FFCA), we are deeply committed to advancing mental health awareness and providing high-quality, evidence-based training—not only during this month, but year-round. As federal and state systems restructure, FFCA is committed to remaining a trusted partner and Continuous Quality Improvement International Resource—helping individuals, organizations, and communities build resilience and save lives.
Why You Should Sign Up Now
- Gain the confidence and skills to recognize suicide warning signs
- Learn how to intervene with compassion and confidence
- Help build a culture of care and prevention in your family, workplace, or community
- Earn a nationally recognized QPR Gatekeeper Certificate
- Contribute to a powerful movement of hope and action during Suicide Prevention Month
Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can save lives.
OAR Leadership Institute Training
Transformative Leadership for a Purpose-Driven Impact
Empower Your Leadership Journey — Dual Language Program (English & Spanish) + Bonus 30-Day Leadership Plan
“I AM GOING ANYWAY.” These words embody the spirit of the OAR Leadership Institute — a unique, purpose-driven leadership experience designed to cultivate courageous, compassionate, and transformational leaders.
The Fathers and Families Coalition of America is honored to present this dynamic program with an expanded faculty — including leaders who have overseen national federal programs, directed Native American/First Nations initiatives, and led in the Early Childhood Education field. As we respond to a growing demand for accessible, culturally resonant leadership training, the OAR Leadership Institute will now be offered in both English and Spanish — fostering inclusion and broadening impact across diverse communities.
- Build transformational leadership rooted in self-awareness, courage, and vision.
- Explore the Four Pillars of the OAR Leadership Institute — Psychological, Emotional, Behavioral, and Noological.
- Gain practical tools to elevate leadership impact through evidence-based frameworks and cultural humility.
- Learn from leaders in federal programs, tribal nations, and early education sectors committed to shaping the next generation of leaders.
- Engage with the integrated module on John R. Wooden Certified Wooden Way Coaching — an approved FFCA franchised leadership bonus, including a 30-Day Personal Leadership Plan to sustain growth.
- Align your leadership with the power of intentionality: “I Am… I Am… I Am Going Anyway” — turning adversity and passion into legacy.
Be a part of this transformational journey. Prepare to lead with purpose — join the OAR Leadership Institute today.
Past Partner Agencies
In the past few years, the following agencies have contracted the OAR Leadership Institute for customized leadership development training:
| Agency | Location |
|---|---|
| El Nido Family Centers | Los Angeles, California |
| Northeast Valley Best Start | Panorama City, California |
| Lassen County Child Support Services | Susanville, California |
| Madera County Child Services | Madera, California |
| Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ponce | Puerto Rico |
| Kings County Child Support Services | Hanford, California |
| Randolph County Caring Community Partnership, Inc. | Moberly, Missouri |
| Madera County Behavioral Health Agency | Madera, California |
| Region II Head Start Association (Module One) | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Long Island Head Start, Inc. | Patchogue, New York |
OAR Leadership Institute™
Customized Training | Virtual, In-Person, or Hybrid
The OAR Leadership Institute™ offers a transformative leadership development program rooted in the belief that leadership begins with understanding oneself and finding purpose — and that from this foundation, we create stronger, more compassionate, and more effective organizations.
Designed by Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC, and delivered through the Fathers and Families Coalition of America, the OAR Leadership Institute™ provides a Four-Part Series integrating evidence-based practices, global leadership frameworks, and powerful personal growth tools. Since January 2021, over 500 leaders and professionals have graduated from this program.
Whether you are seeking individual growth, organizational transformation, or team development, the OAR Leadership Institute™ is delivered in virtual, in-person, or hybrid formats, with capacity to serve groups from 5 to 300.
Four-Part Series
- Leadership Through Personality – The FFCA DiSC Model
Discover how personality, behavioral patterns, and communication styles impact leadership and organizational culture. Explore neuroplasticity, emotional drivers, and the intersection of DiSC with emotional intelligence and cultural humility. - The Building Blocks of Leadership
Grounded in the John R. Wooden Pyramid of Success, participants learn core leadership traits—enthusiasm, industriousness, poise, confidence, team spirit—and how to embed them into everyday practice. FFCA is an authorized franchise of the Certified Wooden Way Coaching Program. - Emotions in Time of Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
Leaders engage with frameworks of Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Kintsugi, and Mindfulness, learning how to foster resilience, navigate conflict, and inspire others by leading with authenticity and empathy. - Creating Purpose with a Leadership Plan and Executive Coaching
Participants develop a personalized Leadership Plan, blending concepts of Ikigai, GRIT, and Focus Mapping into an actionable 30-day leadership roadmap — setting a trajectory for long-term professional growth.
Value-Added Workbook Activities
The OAR Leadership Institute™ incorporates deeply reflective and practical workbook activities to help participants apply learning and sustain impact:
- "I Am" Identity and Leadership Reflection
- DiSC Personality Exploration & Mapping
- Meet Me in Ten Years Vision Plan (Ikigai-based)
- New Story of You through Emotional Intelligence & Kintsugi
- Focus Mapping for 30-Day Leadership Goals
- Ten Relationships and Values Mapping
- Eulogy Writing — anchoring leadership in personal legacy
- GRIT Scale & Life Satisfaction Assessments
- Leadership Reflection Exercises: How You Are Prosperous, Defining Success, Relevance, and Lifelong Growth
Conference Presentations & Individual Coaching
The OAR Leadership Institute™ has been featured in leadership conferences for:
- State of Maryland
- National Mental Health Program Directors Association
- California Head Start Association
Additionally, individual coaching has been provided to numerous professionals across government, behavioral health, nonprofit, education, and community sectors.
Leadership Impact — What Our Graduates Say
Graduates praise the OAR Leadership Institute™ for its real-world applicability, blending deep personal reflection with actionable tools that drive impact in behavioral health, community-based programming, and government leadership.
Enhanced Leadership Capacity & Decision-Making
"The institute helped me refine my ability to interpret data, develop reports, and present findings that shape our county's behavioral health policies." – Division Manager, Madera County Behavioral Health ServicesEmpowerment for Social Impact & Policy Change
"I'm now better equipped to provide oversight and training that directly influences how our agency serves children and families." – Supervising Mental Health Clinician, Madera County Behavioral Health ServicesBridging Theory with Action for Leadership Excellence
"I've applied the principles from the OAR Leadership Institute to create a stronger, more connected team focused on community transformation." – Office Services Supervisor, Madera County Behavioral Health
Building Stronger, More Effective Leaders
The OAR Leadership Institute™ serves professionals across:
- Behavioral Health Leadership
- Community-Based Program Management
- Government Leadership & Public Sector Innovation
- Early Childhood Education & Family Support
- Nonprofit Executive Leadership
Special Offer
FFCA offers up to 25% discounted rates for nonprofits, with the ability to customize the OAR Leadership Institute™ to your organizational needs. The program is available for virtual, in-person, or hybrid delivery, led by Dr. Rodríguez and an expanding team of distinguished faculty and executive coaches.
Schedule Your Customized Leadership Training by contacting us at members@fathersandfamiliescoalition.org or call us at +1-424-225-1323 as we can provide on-site or virtual training globally.