Northwest ohio fatherhood connection program will serve 180 fathers per year with the intent to promote and sustain healthy marriage, responsible parenting, and foster economic stability. - the…

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded Zepf Center a $3.75 million cooperative agreement on September 30, 2025, under the Healthy Marriage Promotion and Responsible Fatherhood Grants program (CFDA 93.086) to operate the Northwest Ohio Fatherhood Connection Program.

Zepf Center will deliver evidence-based fatherhood services to 180 fathers per year—900 fathers over the five-year project period—through in-person programming at three physical locations in Lucas County, Ohio. The program implements the Nurturing Fathers Program as its primary curriculum, supplemented with healthy relationship and co-parenting education and economic stability services including job training, placement, and retention support. Participants will develop responsible parenting skills, strengthen father-child engagement, improve co-parenting relationships, and achieve measurable gains in employment and earnings.

The period of performance runs from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2030. All services are delivered in Toledo, Ohio. The Responsible Fatherhood component of the grant program funds organizations providing a broad array of services to promote healthy marriage and relationships, strengthen positive father-child engagement, and improve employment and economic stability opportunities.

Northwest ohio fatherhood connection program will serve 180 fathers per year with the intent to promote and sustain healthy marriage, responsible parenting, and foster economic stability. - the northwest ohio fatherhood connection program will provide comprehensive services to community fathers in lucas county, ohio through evidence-based curriculum workshops and individualized support. The program will implement the nurturing fathers program as its primary workshop, supplemented with healthy relationship education and economic stability services. Zepf center will serve 180 fathers per year through in-person services at three physical locations, helping participants develop responsible parenting skills, improve CO-parenting relationships, and achieve economic stability through job training, placement, and retention support. Over the five-year project period, the program expects to serve 900 fathers, with demonstrated outcomes including increased father-child engagement, improved parenting confidence, and significant gains in employment and earnings.