FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2023
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bill Teets, 614-403-2331
Bill.Teets@jfs.ohio.gov
Dasia Clemente, 614-817-2945
Dasia.Clemente@jfs.ohio.gov
Commission on Fatherhood Seeking Videos for #DadandMe Contest
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and the Ohio Commission on
Fatherhood are inviting Ohio youth to submit videos for the annual #DadandMe Contest, describing how important
their dads or father figures are in their lives. Winners will get to spend a day with their families at the National
Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.
“Where there are involved fathers, there are thriving children,” said ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder. “This
contest is a great chance to celebrate the importance of fatherhood in a fun, creative way.”
Ohio youth 18-years-old or younger who are eligible for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) program are eligible to submit a video and application form through the Commission’s website
https://fatherhood.ohio.gov/fatherhood-programs/dadandme/application-and-guidelines/application-form.
“We know that children with involved fathers have higher self-esteem and less depression as teenagers,” said Kim
Dent, Executive Director of the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, a program of ODJFS’ Office of Family
Assistance. “We love to see what the young people say about their dads and other men who play an important role
in their lives.”
“A subcommittee will review all the entries and pick fifty winning videos,” Dent said. “Those families will get to
spend a fun day together exploring the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Hurry! The deadline to
submit is May 12th!”
The youth who submit the selected video entries will receive free admission to the museum on June 10, 2023, as
well as admittance to educational activities including interactive flight simulators, movie ride, virtual reality
simulator, and giant screen movie for themselves and up to three other family members (total of four people). The
prize does not include costs for travel, food, or lodging.
For a complete list of rules and conditions, visit
https:/fatherhood.ohio.gov/static/Fatherhood_Programs/DadandMe/SFY2023/Dad-and-Me-contest-flyer-ENG.pdf.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services manages vital programs that strengthen Ohio families.
These include job training and employment services, unemployment insurance, cash and food assistance
child care, child and adult protective services, adoption, and child support services.
