Five organizations across Ohio, including on which does work in Delaware County, have been awarded two-year grants to help fathers in their areas become better parents, partners and providers, the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood announced this week.
“Research shows that children with fathers who are present in their lives have better cognitive outcomes, self-esteem, academic achievement and economic stability,” said Executive Director Kimberly Dent. “They have healthier development as children, are more empathetic, and are less likely to have problems with drugs and alcohol as teenagers.”
The following organizations will receive $260,000 each over the next two state fiscal years to offer individualized services to remove barriers to father engagement; lead fatherhood classes using an evidence-based curriculum; help fathers prepare for, find and keep a job; and record all data in a web-based case management system:
- Action for Children – Delaware, Franklin and Licking Counties
- Early Childhood Resource Center – Stark and Summit Counties
- ForeverDads – Morgan, Muskingum and PerryCounties
- Passages – Lorain and Portage Counties
- Talbert House – Butler, Hamilton and Warren Counties
The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood is a national leader in promoting father engagement programs. Housed within the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, it strengthens vulnerable families by funding programs that build fathers’ parenting skills, prevent premature fatherhood, reconcile fathers with their families, increase public awareness of the critical role fathers play, and provide employment-related services for low-income, noncustodial fathers.
Commissioners include a representative from the governor’s office, the directors of state agencies, bipartisan members of the Ohio House and Senate, a representative from the Ohio Supreme Court, and citizens chosen by the governor because of their knowledge of fatherhood issues.
