The event is the first major public activation of the statewide partnership created by the Ohio General Assembly through the current operating budget and announced in March between DCY and All Pro Dad, the fatherhood program of the Tampa-based nonprofit Family First. Monday's gathering is the 147th All Pro Dad Experience nationwide and recognizes Columbus as the program's 33rd market in the country.

"One thing I've learned from my time as a coach is that young people need someone in their corner who believes in them," said Lt. Governor Tressel. "An afternoon spent together, a conversation on the ride home, a few words of encouragement — they all matter. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help bring that message to Ohio with All Pro Dad."

The Columbus All Pro Dad Experience brought fathers and their elementary and middle school-aged children together for on-field activities at the Buckeyes' practice facility, interactive games, and practical fatherhood tips they can take home. Attendees also heard directly from Lt. Governor Tressel and Ohio State Head Football Coach Ryan Day.

The DCY and All Pro Dad partnership is the first initiative launched under Ohio's $20 million state commitment to fatherhood programming, building on years of ongoing work to support Ohio dads. The "Win the Every Day" initiative is helping schools across Ohio strengthen student outcomes through a growing network of school-based father engagement chapters.

Research consistently shows that engaged fathers contribute to stronger academic performance, reduced justice-system involvement, and better long-term health and economic outcomes for children. Ohio's fatherhood work is coordinated through DCY's Ohio Commission on Fatherhood.

Mental Health America (MHA) is seeking applications for its 2026 Youth Policy Accelerator leadership program, which ensures that the priorities and voices of young people are at the forefront of national mental health policy discussions. The 2026 YPA will equip five outstanding young adults with the skills, relationships, and experience to advance youth peer support policy.

The all-virtual YPA will take place from July 2026 to March 2027. In addition to receiving a $3,000 stipend, YPA members will: 

• Learn and apply skills: Gain valuable experience working on mental health policy, research, and communications. This includes public speaking, agenda setting, policy research, coalition leadership, and campaign creation.
• Attend and speak at MHA’s Policy Institute and Annual Conference: Members will receive scholarships to attend and speak at MHA’s 2026 Policy Institute and Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 6-9.
• Influence state policy and advance youth peer support: Collaborate to develop policy priorities and strategy. Members will meet directly with policymakers and advocates and participate in the National Youth Peer Support Coalition.
• Grow your network: Build relationships with your cohort, policy experts, and MHA's youth leaders network of more than 150 program graduates with ongoing training and leadership opportunities.

Applications are due by July 17. Applicants will be notified of selection by July 23. All applicants will also be invited to join MHA's broader youth peer network. Questions? Contact Jackie Menjivar, MHA's manager of peer and youth advocacy, at jmenjivar@mhanational.org. 

A new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis of 2021–2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data found that alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains common in the U.S., with 15.2% of pregnant women reporting current drinking, 4.9% reporting binge drinking, and 2.2% reporting heavy drinking in the past 30 days. One-third of current drinkers also reported binge drinking, and 14.7% reported heavy use. Higher prevalence was observed among women who were not married and those experiencing frequent mental distress, with heavy drinking showing a threefold increase in this group.

“No amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is known to be safe,” the CDC analysis said, underscoring the need for routine clinical screening and community-level prevention strategies. Click HERE for related resources and training materials from DBH.  

The Columbus Metropolitan Club will host There's No Casserole for That: Mental Health, Loneliness, and the Courage to Show Up on June 24 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. Attendees will hear personal stories, explore the effects of loneliness and trauma, and discuss how communities can better support individuals facing mental health challenges.The forum will feature remarks from Sophia Fifner, President and CEO, Columbus Metropolitan Club; Bill Butler, President of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, retired U.S. Army Colonel, and combat veteran; and Dr. John Ackerman, Suicide Prevention Clinical Manager at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Use promo code COURAGE for $30 off registration.   

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will host a Telling Your Prevention Story Through Communities Talk webinar on June 24 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. The webinar will provide an overview of prevention stories (and the value they bring to Communities Talk activity hosts), strategies and tips for telling your prevention stories, the importance of creating your story, how to capture prevention stories in your community, best practices for visual storytelling, and the role of metrics to support your prevention success. 

Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO) will host the 2026 Peer Recovery Summit: Connection Creates Recovery: Healing Happens Together on July 8-9 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. Time is running out to register. Join the hundreds of peers, recovery leaders, advocates, and organizations from across the state who have registered for an unforgettable experience centered on connection, growth, and recovery. Click HERE to register and HERE to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. Questions? Email OhioPRO Executive Director Michael J. Krause at mkrause@ohio-pro.com.

Youth to Youth International (Y2Y) will host its 2026 Summer Conference on July 8-11 at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware. Conference organizers are currently accepting workshop proposals from adults interested in presenting at the conference. The committee is seeking unique, creative ideas that provide skill-building opportunities for conference participants and encourages workshops to be interactive — not solely based on lecturing and question and answer. Conference participants prefer presentations that focus on “how to” information, which will assist them in accomplishing goals in their own schools and communities. The workshop will be presented twice on July 9, at 1:45-2:45 p.m. and 3:00-4:00 p.m, with a 15-miute break in between. 

Star Behavioral Health Providers (SBHP) is hosting a free, in-person Tier One: Introduction to Military Culture and the MIlitary-Connected Experience training on July 16 from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Ohio University Chillicothe. This workshop is designed to provide a foundation for supporting service members, veterans, and their families. The training introduces military culture and explores the lived experiences and normative military stressors encountered by service members and their families throughout the military life cycle. Questions? Email sbhpsupport-ggg@usuhs.edu.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will host the 2026 Addiction Studies Institute on Aug. 5-7 at the Nationwide and Ohio State Farm Bureau 4H Center in Columbus. The conference will deliver the latest trends and evidence‑based practices in substance use disorders, featuring knowledgeable and dynamic speakers and opportunities to earn CEU credits. Participants may attend virtually or in-person on Aug. 5-6, and virtual-only on Aug. 7. Click HERE to view the agenda and HERE for speaker bios.