More than 200 community advocates and professionals were in attendance at LP Field on Friday for the inaugural Fatherhood Summit, an event hosted Metro Public Health Department’s New Life Program (NLP). The summit was designed to bring men and families together to help them better understand a father’s role in the lives of children and how it impacts the entire community. 
The day was kicked off with an advanced screening of “NPT Reports: Children’s Health Crisis – Family Health”-the latest documentary in the Emmy® Award-winning “NPT Reports: Children’s Health Crisis” series. Produced by NPT’s Will Pedigo, the documentary explores the role shifting family structures play in the health of Tennessee children. In particular, it examines the impact fathers have on the wellbeing of children.
Following the screening, Pedigo and NLP manager Robert Taylor led a lively, hour-long discussion with the audience to breakdown the issues and topics showcased in the documentary. Fathers in attendance shared personal experiences and lessons learned to provide other fathers with guidance to overcome the challenges they face.
All of Nashville has a chance to watch the documentary when it airs throughout the month on NPT or online at wnpt.org/childrenshealth.
The Nashville Health Care Council, along with the Healthways Foundation, HCA Foundation, Metro Health and Baptist Healing Trust, proudly supports the “NPT Reports: Children’s Health Crisis” project, a multiyear initiative built around a series of documentaries on the state of children’s health in Tennessee.