The commission was created by the General Assembly in 2000 and reestablished in 2007 by Gov. Ted Strickland.

The commission defines its mission as “Enhancing the well being of Ohio’s children by inspiring and supporting diverse groups and communities to improve the quality of fatherhood.”

“If you’re blessed with children, there’s not a higher calling than to love and influence them to become responsible adults,” Derickson said. “The need has never been greater in our state and country for fathers to teach responsibility to their children and play an active role in their lives.”

The OFC’s statutory obligations include building the parenting skills of fathers; providing employment-related services to low-income, non-custodial fathers; preventing premature fatherhood; providing services to fathers who are inmates or have just been released from imprisonment in a state correctional or in any other detention facility, so that they are able to maintain or reestablish their relationships with their families; reconciling fathers with their families; and increasing public awareness of the critical role that fathers play.

The appointment process was finalized last week in the Ohio House and was done by Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish, D-Beachwood.

Staff Report
Originally Found in the OxfordPress