Groundwork Ohio

This Father’s Day, we’re sharing reflections on the many ways fathers help shape the lives of young children.

Casey Kozlowski, Ashtabula County Commissioner highlights the lasting impact of a father’s presence—from words of encouragement and shared experiences to simply showing up for the moments that matter. These everyday actions help build confidence, create a sense of security, and leave memories that last a lifetime.

Fathers and father figures play an important role in helping children feel loved, supported, and valued as they grow.

June is a time to recognize and celebrate the important role fathers play in helping children, families, and communities thrive.

As part of our recognition of Father's Day and Responsible Fatherhood Month, we're highlighting organizations working to support and empower fathers across Ohio.

In this spotlight, we're featuring Urban Family Development Center and its Dads2B initiative, which works to strengthen families through father engagement, maternal health support, infant vitality initiatives, and community partnerships.

From helping fathers advocate for themselves in maternal health settings to creating opportunities for dads to connect, learn, and lead, Dads2B is helping build stronger families and stronger communities.

Read more: https://www.groundworkohio.org/post/partner-spotlight-dads2be

Ohio fathers have stories, experiences, and insights that deserve to be heard.
Dr. Jasmine Moses of BCDI Ohio shares why listening to fathers and father figures is essential to building stronger supports for children and families. Read the blog and take the statewide Fatherhood Survey today.

Read more: https://ow.ly/uPZk50ZaIuN

A father's impact begins long before a child takes their first steps.

Research shows that when fathers are actively involved during pregnancy, mothers are 1.5 times more likely to receive prenatal care during the first trimester.

Every appointment attended, question asked, and moment of support helps build a strong start for both babies and families.



Source: NICHQ - National Institute for Children's Health Quality, Fathers: Powerful Allies for Maternal and Child Health

Today, Groundwork Ohio Vice President Brittany Boulton participated in a presentation to Connecting People to Possibilities in NE Ohio (Conxus NEO and Elevate Akron Elevate Greater Akron alongside Richelle Wardell, Education & Health Strategist for the City of Akron as well as Early Childhood Resource Center CEO Angela Moses and Director of Strategic Initiatives Amy Wise. Brittany shared a statewide landscape of child care barriers and costs for Ohio's working families and invited business leaders to participate in Groundwork Ohio's business coalition.

Learn more about our business coalition: https://www.groundworkohio.org/businesses

Groundwork Ohio joined the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce for its Legislative Day in Columbus on June 9, bringing together business, community, and policy leaders to discuss priorities shaping Ohio's future. We appreciated the opportunity to hear from Representative Phil Plummer Plummer and Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Stephanie Keinath and engage in conversations about strengthening Ohio's workforce and economy.

We're encouraged to see child care recognized as a key policy priority and workforce participation strategy. When families have access to affordable, reliable child care, parents can work, businesses can grow, and communities can thrive.

Thank you to the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce for the invitation and for prioritizing child care as a workforce issue.

This Father’s Day, we’re highlighting reflections on the lasting influence fathers have across generations.

For Barb Smoot, President & CEO of Women for Economic and Leadership Development - National, the example set by her father continues to shape her family today. His commitment to sharing caregiving responsibilities and being an active, engaged parent demonstrated that fatherhood is not about helping—it’s about showing up, being present, and sharing in the work of raising a family.

The impact of involved fathers extends far beyond childhood, helping shape stronger families and brighter futures for the next generation.

Senate Bill 218 continues to move forward in the Ohio House, advancing efforts to strengthen Ohio's child care system and expand access for families.

Thank you to Senator Kristina Roegner for championing Senate Bill 218 and to Representative Tracy Richardson for sponsoring companion legislation, House Bill 464, which is also moving through the legislative process after passing unanimously out of the Ohio House. Together, these efforts help advance solutions that support children, families, providers, and employers across Ohio.

Groundwork Ohio Vice President Brittany Boulton provided testimony on the bill, emphasizing the importance of increasing access to quality child care and addressing barriers that make it difficult for families to find and afford care.

Child care remains one of the biggest challenges facing Ohio families and our workforce, and policy solutions like Senate Bill 218 and House Bill 464 are an important part of the conversation.

Read more in this Ohio Capital Journal Capital Journal article:

Multiple childcare bills on access, fraud advanced in Ohio House committee • Ohio Capital Journal Multiple childcare bills were approved in an Ohio House committee on Monday. Three of the bills dealt with increasing access for children, and another is a response to calls for increased vigilance regarding potential childcare fraud.

Two child care bills took an important step forward this week, advancing from committee in the Ohio House.

Thank you to Representative Gary Click and Representative Mike Odioso for Ohio for sponsoring House Bill 484, which would expand access to publicly funded child care for child care professionals, and to Representatives Andrea White for Ohio and Sharon A. Ray for sponsoring House Bill 7, which would make foster and kinship caregivers eligible for publicly funded child care. These proposals help address barriers facing Ohio families and the early childhood workforce.

We appreciate the bipartisan leadership focused on strengthening child care access for Ohio's children and families.

Read more in this Springfield News-Sun article:

Two House bills to expand public childcare to more Ohio families pass committee The Ohio House is primed to vote on two bills that would make publicly funded child care available to more Ohio families.