Jack knew about the Forever Dads Center for Fathers & Families through his mother and great-grandmother, who both volunteer for the InsideOut DAD program at Noble Correctional Institution. When his friend Ryan found out he was going to be a father, Jack knew where to turn for help. He introduced Ryan to the center’s Boot Camp for New Dads program.

On the buddy system, Jack and Ryan attended the one-day class together. Ryan learned about his role as a provider and protector for his child. He got insight into the journey his child’s mother would experience in childbirth. He also learned how to be a more caring man, what to expect as his child grows, and how to protect his child from abuse and neglect. He heard from a “veteran dad” who had recently experienced childbirth, saw a demonstration about shaken baby syndrome, and got many resources to help him be the best dad he could be.

“Babies can be scary, especially for men,” said Greg Bishop, founder of the program and a father of four. “New fathers need to be invited in, to be given the chance to feel competent.”

Sadly, several weeks after the class, Jack died from an accidental gunshot wound. But the help he gave his friend before his untimely death lives on. Ryan has since welcomed his son Jacob into the world and has come full circle with ForeverDads. Now he tells his story at Boot Camp for New Dads as a veteran dad himself.

The Commission Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 14, 2022 from 10:00 am. – 12:00 p.m. It will be a virtual Zoom Webinar. The audience is encouraged to utilize the chat Q&A to interact with the Commissioners, guest speaker(s), and the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood (OCF) staff. 
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81763981193?pwd=TmhYMEY1eFgxWTNEZTZIbnBPRFlsdz09
Passcode: 813187
Webinar ID: 817 6398 1193
The phone # +1 301 715 8592

Please click here to join the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood Meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2022 Commissioners’ Meeting.
If you would like to listen to the recordings or see presentations from the previous Commission Meetings, please click here. 

Please Note: We are unable to provide technical assistance during meetings. 

2022 Commission Meeting Dates:    Feb. 10, May 12, July 14, Sept. 8 and Nov. 10. 

If you would like to attend a commission meeting or if you have any questions, please contact Terri Simons via e-mail at Terri.Simons@jfs.ohio.gov. 

If you need to speak to someone over the phone, please contact Executive Director Kimberly Dent at 614-752-0583.