The warmth of summer is getting closer and, along with it, all those outdoor activities we enjoy. Where there is sunshine and open space, you're bound to find children at play.

Kids learn so much through play. Parents looking for ways to encourage play can visit our website for ideas.

Making sure our youngest Ohioans have what they need to succeed has been the focus of my testimony before several Ohio Legislative committees as they review Governor DeWine’s SFY2026-2027 biennial budget proposal. 

I continue to talk about our work to improve Maternal and Infant Wellness in Ohio. Governor DeWine and I were happy to take part in this Cleveland.com article about Ohio's infant mortality rate hitting its lowest level in 20 years and how we are focused on saving even more babies!

I also talk about our Child Care Choice Voucher Program that helps working families pay for child care. It is part of a larger plan to increase access to quality, affordable child care. The kids learn while they're in care, helping them prepare for kindergarten.

Each time I speak before our legislators, my message is clear, providing the right services and support to families before there is a crisis reduces the need for children services intervention and having services available to families experiencing a traumatic event reduces the need for children to be removed from the home. You can DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR KIDS by spreading this important message.

Enjoy your final weeks of Spring, as we approach the kick-off to a wonderful summer.

Governor DeWine Advocates for Ohio Families

Governor announces launch of initiative to reduce infant mortality; discusses family tax cut proposal

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara B. Wente were in Toledo on April 30 announcing an effort to improve birth outcomes and reduce infant mortality rates.

Through the DeWine-Tressel Administration’s newly announced Partner for Change initiative, DCY is teaming up with several organizations across the state to take a highly effective model, pioneered by Hamilton County-based nonprofit Cradle Cincinnati, and expand it into new communities throughout Ohio.

"Our children and our families are at the heart of everything we do as a state,” said Governor DeWine. “Ohio recently hit its lowest rate of infant mortality in two decades, but we know more needs to be done. Expanding this model through our Partner for Change initiative is another example of how we are continuing to seek new and innovative ways to protect our children and families."

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine delivered his 2025 State of the State address on March 12 during a joint session of the Ohio General Assembly. 

Speaking before a crowd of legislators and members of the public, Governor DeWine pledged to continue making Ohio the best place in the nation to live, work, and raise a family.

"Since taking office, my administration has worked each day to help ensure that every Ohioan has the tools to live up to their full potential and the opportunity to live their version of the American dream," said Governor DeWine. "For the truth is, we cannot achieve our full potential as a state unless each Ohioan first achieves theirs." 

First Lady Fran DeWine Celebrates 20 Million Book Milestone in Ohio's Imagination Library Program

On March 20, Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine celebrated 20 million books mailed to Ohio children from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio by hosting a book reading at the Greene County Public Library in Beavercreek.

“When Mike first ran for Governor, I knew I wanted to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Ohio so every family could have access to the program’s high-quality, age-appropriate, free books,” said Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine. “With financial support from the Ohio General Assembly, our program has grown from only being available in pockets of Ohio to currently reaching 70 percent of households with children under the age of five.”

April was National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about preventing child abuse and neglect. The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund’s (OTCF) theme, “Ensure They Shine,” emphasizes the importance of creating environments where Ohio's children can grow up safe, supported, and ready to thrive. 

OCTF, a resource within the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), works year-round to strengthen families and prevent child abuse. While April offers opportunity to bring additional focus, OCTF works every day to fund programs that support families and protect children from harm.  

“We all have a role in preventing child abuse,” said Kara Wente, Director of DCY. “The OCTF helps families access resources before crises happen, creates lasting change in children's lives, and supports families staying together.” 

On April 1, Governor Mike DeWine proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Ohio. On April 3, OCTF Executive Director Nicole Sillaman, was honored at the Statehouse with a resolution recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. The resolution was presented by OCTF Board Chair Rep. Andrea White (right) and Board Member Rep. Karen Brownlee (left), reinforcing Ohio’s commitment to protecting children and strengthening families.

Preventing child abuse starts with awareness, action, and advocacy—and we are grateful for leaders who champion this cause. Let’s continue working together to ensure every child grows up in a safe, supportive environment.

Home Visitors Help Families Succeed

DCY Recognized April 21-25 as National Home Visiting Week. 

Wendy, a grandmother, has been working with Home Visitor Roxanne since her granddaughter was born. Click the photo at right to hear their story.

For more Home Visiting success stories and to learn more about how a Home Visitor may be able to help you. Click here.

Prom season is a good time to encourage, or even initiate, normalcy opportunities for youth in custody. Normalcy activities, like prom, are not only a cultural rite of passage, but also prompt life lessons and help build self-sufficiency. 

As a young person, it is easy to just think about the prom outfit, the food, pictures, and dancing with friends. But there are many life skills that are practiced in preparation. Youth can practice developing a budget for prom expenses, learn to place an order for a boutonniere or corsage, research finding an outfit they like in their price range, research a place to get hair/nails done within their budget, coordinate logistics with friends on where to eat and learn to make reservations, navigate peer relationships, and practice time management skills. 

Caseworkers can use Independent Living (IL) funding for normalcy activities for youth in foster care age 14 and older. IL funds are allocated to counties and are to be used to support the youth’s independent living goals, which includes normalcy activities. IL funds are flexible and must be used in a way to support a goal in the independent living plan. 

Foster parents and foster youth are encouraged to ask their caseworker about using IL funds for normalcy activities.

Success Story: Youth Navigator Network (YNN)

In March 2024, a young person contacted the Youth Navigator Network asking for help. The young person reported that she was on leave from work, on doctor-recommended bed rest, and, without a paycheck, she didn’t know how she was going to pay her rent for the month of March.

The YNN navigator explained how the YNN program works, the services offered, and the eligibility criteria. The young person confirmed that she was both interested and eligible, the navigator worked to connect her with rental assistance programs in her area. The young person, was placed on several waiting lists, but was unable to obtain any immediate support. After numerous rejections, this young person was rightfully discouraged.

Around this time, the Youth Navigator Network introduced the YNN Flex Fund program, a funding opportunity that helps provide financial support to emancipated 21- and 22-year-olds. The navigator noted that this young person was eligible for this support and worked with her to complete a YNN Flex Fund funding request for rent. It was approved for not just March, but through the end of May, allowing her time to truly recover with the assurance that she wouldn’t lose her home.

It’s entirely possible that this young person would have found this support elsewhere because young people are resourceful. It’s also possible that she could have lost it all without the guidance, empathy, and financial support from the Youth Navigator Network. 

The PYA team spent the day planning for Spring 2025 Family Listening Sessions, engaging in a Mock Parent and Café, and meeting with DCY Director Kara Wente. PYAs left feeling connected, inspired, and heard.  PYAs had this is say:

• “We are going to do many great small things that will amount to such a BIG DEAL for so many.”
• “It was a great day and it was so lovely to be together in person. We are an awesome team, and I am so proud to be a part of it!”
• “I loved the day. The information, the excitement, and all of you!  Very thankful to be a part of this!”
• “This was amazing!  The whole PYA team is amazing”

PYAs are a support available at no cost to children and families across Ohio to help answer questions and connect them with state and local supports. PYAs have lived experience navigating many of Ohio’s social service systems and offer support around any type of request for any population. PYAs are part of a larger network of growing peer support in Ohio and can connect a child or family to specific supports as needed. 

If you know someone that could benefit from support you can contact a PYA by calling the DCY Family and Customer Support Call Center at (844) 234-5437 (KIDS) or by email Ambassadors@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov.

If you have questions about PYA work, contact DCY Project Manager, Melissa Palmer.

Save the Date: Ohio Commission on Fatherhood Meeting

The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Vern Riffe Building, 77 S. High St., Columbus, Ohio 43215

The meeting will be on the 31st Floor in Conference Room West B and C. 

The public is welcome to attend either in person or virtually. In-person attendees need to bring a government-issued ID.

To attend virtually, use this Zoom link and passcode 1999.