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Governor DeWine’s Office of Children’s Initiatives Announces Early Childhood Safety Grants

todayDecember 19, 2019 1

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(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Office of Children’s Initiatives today announced that 18 organizations serving low-income families in 22 counties will receive funding to offer parent safety education on topics such as infant safe sleep practices, proper car seat installation, infant and early childhood development, and infant and early childhood nutrition. Upon completion of the brief education program, eligible families will receive concrete safety-related support items. These may include cribs, pack and plays, car seats, booster seats, strollers, baby gates, baby monitors, bassinets, high chairs, toddler beds, sleep sacks, etc.

“All children deserve to grow up in a safe environment,” said Governor DeWine. “These grants will help ensure that local agencies are able to provide essential supplies to families most in need.”

A total of $400,000 will be awarded for the Early Childhood Safety Initiative pilot project, which will be administered by the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund (OCTF) in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health. The grants may be used through June 30, 2020.

“Our prevention partners throughout the state frequently express the need for funding for safety-related items such as car seats, strollers and baby gates for low-income families,” said OCTF Executive Director Lindsay Williams. “We are thrilled to partner with the Ohio Department of Health to meet this need, which will help keep more children safe. We also are happy that parent education sessions will be offered as part of this valuable service.”

The following organizations will receive funding to provide services:

.Akron Children’s Hospitals ($22,767.50)

.Ashland County Health Department ($16,300.79)

.Clark County Combined Health District ($22,473.32)

.Fairfield Department of Health ($40,000)

.Henry County Health Department ($12,500)

.Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities ($31,681.80)

.Hocking County Board of Developmental Disabilities ($19,356.38)

.Jackson-Vinton Community Action ($15,000)

.Jefferson County Educational Service Center ($10,000)

.Licking County Health Department ($25,000)

.Logan County Health District ($16,782.93)

.Madison County Public Health ($10,000)

.Mercy Health-St. Vincent Medical Center Foundation, Serving Lucas, Wood and Allen Counties ($50,000)

.Providence House, Cleveland ($12,000)

.Tuscarawas County Health Department ($31,976.32)

.University Hospitals, Cleveland ($43,299.18)

.Wyandot County Public Health ($10,719.20)

.Warren County Health District ($10,142.58)

The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund is the state’s sole public funding source dedicated to preventing abuse and neglect. Housed within the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund works with its partners in every county to serve all Ohio communities. To learn more about the programs and services funded by the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund, please visit OCTF.ohio.gov

Written by: WKTN Staff

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