A seminar in Peoria is helping father's stay connected with their children. The Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood is hosting a forum to discuss a concept of "virtual visitation" as a tool to keep dads and kids communicating.

The idea is to help fathers, sons and daughters continue their relationship regardless of location or even incarceration.

"Children that are fatherless are more likely to engage in criminal activity. Little girls who are father absent are more likely to become victims of abuse. So, it is important for fathers to be in positive relationships with their children, and that's what we are here doing today," Fathers' Rights Attorney Jeffrey Leving says.

The state council on responsible fatherhood is dedicated to increasing the number of children growing up with an involved, committed father in Illinois.

Children with loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem and avoid high-risk behavior such as drug use and truancy.