Ohio Department of Behavioral Health to Launch“Reading for Resiliency” Initiative

(COLUMBUS, OH) — The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) today announced a new prevention-focused effort designed to strengthen family connectedness, promote healthy child development, and support lifelong mental wellness through literacy and shared reading experiences.

The Reading for Resiliency initiative is being launched through a partnership between DBH and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, bringing together literacy, prevention, and family wellness strategies to support children and families across Ohio.

The Department will implement community-based reading programming across multiple regions of the state, through the Ohio Children’s Alliance. The initiative uses reading and storytelling as a prevention strategy to build positive developmental outcomes for Ohio children and families.

“Reading together creates opportunities for connection, emotional growth, and resilience,” said DBH Director Tia Marcel Moretti. “This initiative recognizes that literacy is not only foundational to academic success, but also an important tool for strengthening families, reducing stress, encouraging healthy coping skills, and building stronger communities.”

Reading for Resiliency events will bring together children, parents, caregivers, educators, prevention professionals, and community partners to promote literacy and strengthen protective factors that support behavioral health and wellness.

“Ohio Children’s Alliance has a longstanding commitment to supporting children, families, and communities through innovative, community-based approaches,” said Ohio Children’s Alliance Chief Executive Officer Mark Mecum. “We are proud to partner with the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio to help families build resilience, strengthen relationships, and create lifelong opportunities for success through the power of reading.”

As a key partner in the initiative, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio will help connect eligible Ohio families with access to free, high-quality books delivered directly to children from birth to age five, further strengthening early literacy and school readiness efforts statewide.

“We are excited to partner with the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health and the Ohio Children’s Alliance to continue growing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, and signing up more children and families,” said Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine. “Research shows that children with Imagination Library books inside the home love to read, and read often, and are better prepared when they get to kindergarten.” 

The Initiative was developed in response to growing concerns from families and communities regarding youth mental wellness, social connection, and excessive screen time. The program will integrate literacy activities with broader wellness initiatives including behavioral health education, digital wellness resources, nutrition programming, and community health engagement opportunities.

Programming will:

• Provide age-appropriate books and literacy materials for children and families;
• Promote shared reading as a strategy to strengthen parent-child relationships and emotional development;
• Increase awareness of the connection between literacy, resilience, and mental wellness;
• Encourage healthy alternatives to excessive screen time through family engagement activities;
• Connect families to local prevention, wellness, and behavioral health resources; and
• Partner with youth-led prevention programs, community coalitions, libraries, schools, and health organizations to build community partnerships and maximize impact.

Through this partnership, Ohio Children’s Alliance will leverage its statewide network of providers, community organizations, and family-serving agencies to expand access to literacy and resiliency-building opportunities. By bringing together prevention, wellness, and early literacy strategies, the initiative aims to create stronger family connections and healthier communities across the state.