County Fatherhood Initiative

While the crisis of father absence is national, solutions must be found and implemented at the local level, one community at a time. Moreover, in this time of budget shortfalls and rising needs, local leaders must build collaborations and coordinate services. With this in mind, in 2011 the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood launched the first ever Ohio County Fatherhood Initiative. To date, the following counties have participated in the project:
 

 Butler Clark Clinton Coshocton Cuyahoga Delaware
 
Fairfield
 		 Franklin Greene
 		 Guernsey Hamilton Lake
Licking Lorain Lucas Mahoning Mercer Montgomery
 
Morgan Muskingum
 		 Perry Portage  Richland Ross  
Scioto  Stark Summit Trumbull Warren  
           
           

What did counties receive?

  •   Training on how to conduct a Needs and Assets Assessment in their communities
  •   Planning a Community Conversation
  •   Assistance on how to implement a Community Action Plan on Fatherhood
  •   Guidance in how to identify and apply for sustaining funding for your County Fatherhood Initiative
  •   $10,000 implementation grant to begin or continue fatherhood programs in their county

Who provided the training?

The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood staff, fatherhood practitioners and leaders from other counties who have completed the training.

How long was the training?

Training took place over six months and consisted primarily of conference calls and webinars. 

How much did the training cost?

The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood provided the training at no cost to the counties. In fact, counties participating in the initiative received a one-time $10,000 implementation grant to begin or continue fatherhood programs in their county. The funds are dispersed to a participating organization or county agency at the end of the training.

Who must participate in the training?

The leadership team must participate in the training.  Effective July 1, 2019, the leadership team must consist of 5 of the following 7 people or their designees:

1. County Commissioner or State Representative

2. Juvenile or Domestic Relations Judge

3. Director of Child Support

4. Director of Child Welfare

5. Leader of a local faith-based entity or business

6. Community father

7.  Corrections representative from jail or community corrections located in the county

By working together, counties can promote responsible fatherhood and create long term solutions to the father absence crisis, one family at a time. Our hope is that eventually leaders from all 88 Ohio counties will participate in this training and launch successful County Fatherhood Initiatives in every county in the state.

To apply to participate in a future training go to: https://fatherhood.ohio.gov/Funded-Programs2/Ohio-County-Fatherhood-Initiative-Participation-Form.aspx

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Click on the printer icon to print a PDF version of this page 




 

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Upcoming Events

The Commission Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2022 from 10:00 am. – 12:00 p.m. 

(ODJFS) OCF Commission Meeting 
Date: November 10, 2022 at 10:00 am – 12 noon
Location: Vern Riffe Building (Riffe)
77 S. High St. 19th Floor, Conference Room 1948
Columbus, OH  43215

The meeting will be IN-PERSON. Please allow time to find parking and going through the security checks at the Vern Riffe Building. Please bring your photo Identification.


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. 

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