“Fatherhood is about empowerment and active engagement from the moment a man learns he is going to be a dad.”
The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood (OCF) alongside the Ohio Practitioners’ Network for Fathers and Families (OPNFF), hosted the Fatherhood Summit on September 24-26, 2024. This event gathered community leaders, policymakers, and fatherhood advocates from across the nation, including attendees from D.C., Connecticut, Kentucky, South Carolina, Nebraska, and Michigan, to discuss strategies for enhancing fathers' involvement in their children’s lives.
Ohio’s Approach to Fatherhood
The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood focuses on bolstering vulnerable families by funding community programs for low-income fathers. Many of the men they serve come from homes without father figures and may lack experience in what it means to be an engaged and responsible parent. The Commission-funded programs aim to address this gap by helping fathers improve economic stability, offering parenting skills classes, personalized mentoring, and promoting healthy relationships through communication and conflict resolution training.
The first Fathers Matter Conference in May 2003, hosted by the Center for Families and Children in Cleveland, brought together fatherhood practitioners to discuss the significance of fatherhood. This led to the establishment of OPNFF, which now supports over 700 members statewide with resources and training in both urban and rural communities.
Fatherhood Summit 2024
This year’s theme, “Elevating Fathers’ Voices, Let’s Talk About It,” was designed to ensure fathers are heard and included in discussions. On the first day, fathers from ten organizations were honored, sharing inspiring stories of their commitment to parenting. A panel discussion emphasized that fatherhood is about empowerment and active engagement from the moment a man learns he is going to be a dad.
Malissa Harris, Policy Associate, Groundwork Ohio, with Josh Counceller, Manager of Operations, Ohio Commission on Fatherhood.
The second day featured various sessions, with a plenary panel highlighting the importance of removing barriers for fathers. Ronald Todd, Chief of Social Impact and Opportunity at the Ohio Department of Development, spoke about supporting fathers by improving access and providing essential tools for leadership. DCY Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen reaffirmed the state’s commitment to reducing infant mortality and preparing children for school, while also amplifying fathers’ voices in policymaking.
Pictured left to right: Dr. Mike Davis, Socrates Tuch, Ronald Todd III, Rep. Adam Holmes, Senator Michele Reynolds, Jeff Van Deusen, Rep. Darnell Brewer, Rep. Riordan McClain, and Stacey Frohnapfel-Hassen.
A panel of Ohio legislators and representatives discussed key topics, including affordable housing, child care access, and support for incarcerated fathers through workforce training and family visitation programs. Participants were encouraged to advocate for policy changes to ensure fatherhood issues receive attention in state budgets.
Elevating the Voices of Fathers
The Fatherhood Summit 2024 celebrated fathers’ contributions while addressing the challenges they face. Attendees are urged to transform insights from the summit into action by engaging local policymakers, supporting initiatives that empower fathers, and participating in community programs that promote responsible parenting. By amplifying fathers’ voices and advocating for necessary policy changes, we can create a supportive environment where all fathers thrive, positively impacting their families and communities.
Groundwork Ohio’s Family Action Network
Groundwork Ohio recognizes the power of fathers' voices in shaping family and community outcomes. We invite you to join the Family Action Network, a statewide initiative dedicated to amplifying fathers' perspectives. Your experiences, ideas, and advocacy are critical in driving the change needed for policies that support fathers and families. Now is the time to make your voice heard—join the Family Action Network and be part of a movement that empowers fathers and strengthens communities across Ohio.
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