6632 Telegraph Rd,
Ste 110
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
248-559-DADS
info@dadsofmichigan.org
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DADS and MOMS of Michigan eNewsletter Happy Summer !!!! This is a brief report of some of the many activities going on around the state and country. There is a lot more to report so check the Dads and Moms of Michigan web site and the Message Forum for the latest news. Dads and Moms of Michigan will strengthen its focus on education and expand the programs around the state. For information call 248-559-DADS (3237) Sign up for our eNewsletter at www.dadsofmichigan.org
Dream and Cruise with Dads and Moms, August 19 We will have a booth and refreshments at the Dream Cruise, Saturday, August 19. Look for us at the Mobile station on Old Woodward and Woodward, north of 15 Mile Road. We can use your help and to spread the message. We now have tee-shirts, hats, buttons, bumper stickers, wrist bands, etc. Call 248-467-1204 for more info. Come by for a dog, Dads and Moms style.
Equal Parents Week, September 24-30, 2006 Please join us in Lansing at the Capitol East site on Wednesday September 27 between noon and 2:00 pm for the Equal Parents Rally and show your support for HB5267. We are going to bring one thousand parents and advocates to the Michigan State Capitol at noon on Wednesday September 27th as a voice of solidarity of our will to be an equal parent to our children. Fliers and printing instructions are available here: http://www.dadspace.org/files/EqualParentsWeek06Flier.pdf
Dads and Moms University Presents National Family Law Reform Conference Make plans now to attend the National Family Law Reform Conference at the beautiful Crystal Gateway Marriott in Alexandria, Va. just outside the nation's capitol in Washington, DC. http://www.acfc.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=100021&JServSessionIdr005=wdgzfcdjn3.app2a The National Family Law Reform Conference has been endorsed by many organizations including:
20th Anniversary Conference Shared Parenting in the 21st Century November 3 - 5, 2006 November 6, 2006 The Children's Rights Council (CRC) will hold its 20th anniversary conference November 3-5 at the Sheraton Hotel, Arlington, VA. The theme is "Shared Parenting in the 21st Century" and "Defining the Best Interests of the Child." Speakers will include Reading Aloud to Children Advocate Wally "Famous" Amos, Deputy Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu, "Ask Amy" Dickinson advice columnist, syndicated columnists Glenn Sacks, Kathleen Parker, Kathy Young, and custody reform advocates Ronald K. Henry, Michael L. Oddenino and John Bauserman, Jr., judges, researchers, writers, psychologists, White House, and Congressional representatives.
Oakland County DADS OF MICHIGAN FAMILY FORUM
Monroe County Wednesday, 7:30 - 9 p.m., Regular meetings will continue every subsequent Wednesday evening at the same time. The meeting place is Bobby's Kitchen, 15391 S. Dixie Hwy. (Corner of S. Dixie and Dunbar). Local contact information: Pat McElligott, SE Michigan Regional Director 734-240-0225 mcelligott@ameritech.net Wayne County 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm, Christus Victor Church, 25535 Ford Rd. (West of Telegraph, East of Beech-Daly), Dearborn Hts., 48127, Contact Fred Owens (313) 955-0913 dadshelpdads@yahoo.com or http://home.earthlink.net/~dadshelpdads For other locations and information, GO: http://www.dadsofmichigan.org/events.html
PARENTING RESOURCES Michigan Child Support Calculator - The State of Michigan is now licensing the Child Support Calculator for $130.00. Get it free for a limited time on our web site under Legal Resources. http://www.dadsofmichigan.org/legal.html STEP MOMS Stepfamily Association of America - http://www.saafamilies.org/index.htm PARENTING Case Law Development: Massachusetts Supreme Court Denies Relocation of Parent who has Joint Custody of Child The Massachusetts Supreme Court upholds a trial court's denial of a mother's relocation in a case in which the parents had joint physical and legal custody. Massachusetts provides that children may be removed from the commonwealth only with the consent of both parents or "upon cause shown," meaning a showing that removal is in the children's best interests. http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/family_law/2006/08/case_law_develo_1.html
Many of the issues effecting military people are unique. This site will provide resources and news for our military community. OakVideo Military Video Conferencing Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson is pleased to offer LIVE real-time video conferencing to connect local families with their loved ones currently serving in the U.S. military. "Our military service personnel and their families make a huge sacrifice to defend the cause of freedom around the world and this is our small way of showing our appreciation for the great service they provide on our behalf," Mr. Patterson said. The service is provided at no cost and is available to anyone with loved ones serving in the U.S. military. It is not limited to residents of Oakland County. All citizens throughout the state of Michigan and surrounding areas are welcome to request a video conference. http://www.oakgov.com/oakvideo/military/index.html
To Think About ... Dave was a committed family man, and was convinced that everything was great with his children. Then one day he discovered how out-of-touch he really was when it came to his son's friends, interests and daily routine: he found out his son was addicted to cocaine and had been using regularly for three years. Looking back, Dave could list many things he would have done differently to help his son avoid that struggle. Perhaps his biggest regret was that he didn't stay tuned in to what his son was doing and the deeper needs his son sought to meet through drugs. Dad, do you know the warning signs that your child or one of his friends may be on drugs? One great resource for parents on this issue is Parents: The Anti-Drug. This website offers many helpful hints and insights for parents, such as the following, related to teenage drug use during the summer months:
In the Trenches ... Both our founder and our new CEO are witnessing significant milestones this week. Many of you already know that our founder Ken Canfield made a strong showing in the Kansas gubernatorial primary, but came in 2nd. As Ken wrote, “Regardless of the outcome of today’s primary, this is already one the best days of my life." The reason? Ken's daughter Hannah gave birth to a son, Noah David, earlier on Tuesday. Ken continued, "Becoming a grandfather—of a 6th generation Kansan no less—is one of the greatest privileges I will ever know.” Meanwhile, our new CEO Carey Casey is traveling to Canton, Ohio, for the NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Carey, a close friend of the late Reggie White, was invited by Reggie's widow Sara to join the family as they celebrate Reggie's football career and his life. Carey says, "Reggie was a great husband and father. His bride is carrying on his legacy, and his children still miss him dearly. What a privilege to be with Reggie's family this weekend." Action Points for Committed Dads
Support your friends and family in court Today I had one of the most amazing experiences I've had in a long time. The past five years of my life have been filled with anger because of our "Family" court system has robbed me from being a part of my kids childhood. Today, for the first time in five years, I smiled all day, I walked a little prouder, and my heart just didn't seem to be as heavy as it usually is. This morning when I checked my e-mail, I received an email for a call to action at my local courthouse. Another father was going to be fighting for his rights and needed that little bit of support knowing he wasn't alone in his fight. I had always told myself I was going to get more involved when I had the time and money. But today I told myself "You don't have an excuse this time, it's five minutes away and the only cost is your time." So I finally took the plunge and went. When I got there I was immediately accepted, and treated like I had been a member of F4J for years. Those two hours in front of the courthouse did more for me than thousands of dollars of therapy probably ever could. I got to tell some of the people responsible for my anger just what I thought. I got to comfort an elderly couple who don't get to see their grandchildren, and let them know my parents are dealing with the same issues they are. I got to tell a local newspaper reporter (although he was clueless on the issue) what's wrong with our "family law". I learned a new word too, "dadfare". I even got to tell a child support worker what I thought of their witch-hunts and their misinformation about "deadbeat dads". I spent the rest of the day at work, getting dirty, sweating and/or walking in the rain for miles, and doing manual labor...but I was smiling the whole damn time. I urge everyone who can, please do what you can to help and support F4J, whether it be standing in front of the courthouse, slipping some F4J fliers into your local child support office, or contacting your local elected officials. Do something. Be a participant, not an observer. Hoping "the system" will change isn't going to work, it'll only get worse. We all have to contribute something to bring forth this change. This organization IS making a difference. They are not just all talk and they're not trying to sell you a book of "guaranteed custody strategies". They mean business and people are taking notice. Dear Lary:
Dads and Moms of Michigan (www.dadsofmichigan.org) includes Dads of Michigan, Moms of Michigan, and Dads of Michigan PAC. These are volunteer responsible parenthood education organizations for fathers and mothers. They instruct on the importance of involved biological parents to the successful development of their children. Dads of Michigan PAC is an independent volunteer political advocacy group dedicated to legislation keeping both biological parents actively engaged in the lives of their children despite divorce and custody, in most instances. They believe men and women should be viewed equally under the law and their credo is: "fathers are responsible parents too…because the best parent is both parents." Dads of Michigan, the Michigan affiliate of the American Coalition for Fathers and Children, is also the developer of the Dads and Moms University of responsible education for teenage, divorced, and unmarried parents. This educational program employs several features to either directly or indirectly benefit nearly 2 million men, women, and grandparents and just under one-half million children each year in Michigan. For more information, please contact us at (248) 559-DADS (3237) or email info@dadsofmichigan.org. Your financial assistance is vitally needed to help us meet our goals via the above projects. We ask you to please consider Dads of Michigan among your corporate and individual charitable contributions. Dads of Michigan is a volunteer, tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and qualifies for tax deductible contributions. Major credit cards are also now accepted. DADS and MOMS of Michigan Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.
"Fathers are responsible parents too…because the best parent is both parents” |
