Nothing brings a smile to a child's face like all the fun things summer brings. Whether it's time at a playground, a backyard game of tag, or reading a book in the shade, kids will find plenty of ways to enjoy these warmer months. Here at DCY, the team is looking forward to the Independence Day holiday, but will be back on Monday, working hard for Ohio families.

With the unwavering support of Governor DeWine, we continue to provide children and families with programs and services at the times they need them most. Our work revolves around supporting these main goals:

          ✅  Increasing the number of babies reaching their first birthdays;

          ✅  Decreasing the number of children entering foster care;

          ✅  Increasing the number of children who start kindergarten socially,
                 emotionally, and academically ready to learn.

Team DCY is looking forward to answering your questions and welcoming you to our booth at the 2025 Ohio State Fair, July 23 - August 3. Even bigger than last year, our booth will feature PBS Kids' mascot Daniel Tiger, last year's very popular DrawAlive activity, animals from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and more in the air-conditioned Bricker Building! Please come say "hi!"

We hope you learn something new from this issue and, if you don't already, you'll consider following us on social media to learn more about how we DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR KIDS.

Have a wonderful summer.

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Tressel Celebrate Historic Investments in New Operating Budget

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel today discussed a number of initiatives and priorities in the operating budget that support Ohio’s people and workforce, children, and communities.

Am. Sub. House Bill 96 was signed into law July 1 by Governor DeWine. The budget supports the priorities of the DeWine-Tressel administration by making investments in education, children’s mental and physical health, workforce initiatives, public safety, and more.

Check out the Early Childhood CoE Summer Plans guide. This resource helps early care and education professionals, as well as families, welcome and support children transitioning into new programs for the summer.

Click the photo or the link above to access the guide.

Care2 is a project aimed at improving maternal and infant health during the time between pregnancies (interconception). Building on the IMPLICIT Network's quality improvement framework, CARE2 is tailored to address the needs of Ohio families.

The goal of Care2 is to make the screening of maternal risk factors that can affect the future health of mothers and children part of well-child visits. Providers screen newly parenting women for:

1. Depression and anxiety,
2. Tobacco use and vaping,
3. Family planning and multivitamin/folic acid use, and
4. Infant safe sleep during well-child visits. 

For more information visit the Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center’s Care2 website.

For questions, contact Ayan Dahir, Public Health Consultant.

All children are unique and develop at their own pace, but general milestones can help you understand your child's development.

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth's (DCY) Help Me Grow Early Intervention free screening tools can help you monitor your child's developmental stages.

Of course, you should always talk to your child’s doctor about any concerns related to growth, development, or health.

Anyone can make a referral to Help Me Grow Early Intervention (HMG EI). If you have a concern, call HMG EI at (800) 755-4769 or complete a simple online referral.

Looking for Preschool Special Education Resources? The Preschool Special Education team is excited to share that we now have dedicated webpages on the Department of Children and Youth (DCY) website to support preschool special education providers, parents and families. Topic areas include the compliance requirements for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B, to questions and answers that preschool parents and families have about the special education process. You can find these resources by visiting the DCY website and selecting either “For Families” or “For Providers”. You can also type Preschool Special Education into the search box. If you have any questions, please contact the Preschool Special Education team.

Ohioans who are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis and their family members can call, chat, or text 988 for help and support.

Did you know that when you call 988, you’re connected to a trained specialist, most often right here in Ohio? 

Click the logo on the left to find out exactly what happens when you call.

In May, Governor Mike DeWine joined leaders from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) to unveil a new specialty license plate intended to increase awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The OSPF will receive $25 from the sale of each plate to support suicide prevention initiatives in communities throughout Ohio. 

Please share this resource with your friends and family.

Ohio Departments of Children and Youth, Education and Workforce Celebrate 579 Graduates in Foster Care This Year 

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) are proud to recognize and celebrate the educational accomplishments of 579 young people in foster care who have graduated from high school or earned their High School Equivalency Diplomas (formerly known as a GED) in 2025. 

Foster Care Month: Youth Celebrating Success

During May’s Foster Care Month, the Transitional Youth team at DCY received several inspiring stories from our partners. With the permission of all involved, Cuyahoga County shared a compilation of these stories.

Pictured on the right: Russell, a photographer with promise in Cuyahoga County.

Every June, we observe National Reunification Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the heartwarming reunions of children with their primary families after a period of separation. Reunification is the process of reuniting a child with their primary family following a time when the child was placed in foster care or under the care of another temporary guardian. In most cases, children thrive best within the familiarity and love of their primary families. The foundational connection between a family and their child can encourage their overall health, from emotional support to psychological wellness to developmental well-being. While there are cases when it is necessary for children to be separated from their parents, the ultimate goal of foster care is to work toward mending and strengthening the familial ties. That’s where foster caregivers come into the picture.

The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood (OCF) celebrated "Responsible Fatherhood Month," during the month of June, recognizing all dads who are present, involved, and dedicated to their children. Studies show that when fathers are active in their kids' lives, it helps them grow up healthier-- physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Governor DeWine signed a proclamation, and several organizations held fatherhood events across the state to honor fathers and father figures for making a difference in the lives of children.

One such event was held by the Greater Stark County Urban League, which applied for and was awarded an OCF mini grant to host a father-child event. It included vendors like Early Head Start YWCA Canton, Community Legal Aid, CareSource, and Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA). Children enjoyed interactive games and drills with Canton police and firefighters, earning firefighter hats upon completion. Fathers and sons received free haircuts, while daughters had an opportunity to have their hair braided for free. Kids participated in a basketball learning session with elementary, middle, and high school youth.  Families enjoyed a free cookout-style lunch, games, and prizes, and dads received free skincare tips and massages from vendors.