The Responsible Fatherhood Initiative: Strong Fathers, Strong Families Grant is administered by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) through the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood. It was authorized under Ohio House Bill 96 and codified in Ohio Revised Code Section 5180.706 to promote responsible fatherhood and strengthen family outcomes statewide. The initiative seeks to enhance father engagement across Ohio by funding organizations that provide fathers with access to resources, education, and supportive networks that reinforce their parenting role. The program aligns with the state’s broader goals to improve child well-being, family stability, and community development through increased paternal involvement.
The initiative is structured to fund localized services across twelve Ohio counties, each receiving $150,000 per year, totaling $1.8 million annually in the first phase. Applicants must specify the county to be served and can apply for up to four counties within the same designated region, as outlined in the program’s exhibits. Funding supports both direct engagement activities and a statewide media campaign designed to increase public awareness about the importance of father involvement. Services are expected to address high-need populations and foster community partnerships that expand support systems for fathers.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State and government agencies that are eligible to receive public funds. Each applicant must have at least three years of experience providing parenting support, responsible fatherhood programs, or community mentorship services of similar scale. Organizations must also demonstrate operational, administrative, and financial capacity to manage state grant funds and deliver consistent services within the designated county.
Applications are due November 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with inquiries accepted through November 10, 2025. The project period will begin January 1, 2026, and conclude on June 30, 2027. The total funding allocation for this cycle is $3.6 million, and successful applicants will be notified prior to the start of the performance period. Applicants are required to register through the Ohio Subgrants Subrecipient Portal prior to submission and may submit multiple proposals if they meet regional eligibility requirements.
The initiative will be expanded to additional counties in future phases, establishing a statewide model for responsible fatherhood engagement. Applications are evaluated based on organizational capacity, community partnerships, and strategies for engaging fathers and high-need families. Questions about the solicitation can be directed to DCY via Procurement_Inquiries@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov. The program underscores Ohio’s commitment to supporting strong family structures through proactive fatherhood involvement and local collaboration.
