The Washington Interagency Fatherhood Council was born out of a catalytic two-day fatherhood summit held in June 2018 where 140 interested stakeholders, including 40 fathers with lived experience, attended. The summit was supported and facilitated by nineteen statewide non-profit, academic, government, and community lead organizations. The summit culminated in a voting process to determine action steps and priorities for the coming year. The number one priority was to establish an ongoing, statewide organization made up of representatives from public, private and non-profit organizations as well as fathers, who would work together to improve how fathers are supported in their vital role in raising their children. The Council was formed to meet this request and began meeting in the fall of 2018.