5/4/2020
by Karen Bennett , Program Officer, Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services

While the office is currently closed to the public, the Cuyahoga County Fatherhood Initiative continues to provide access to services for fathers to help meet the emotional, psychological, and financial needs of their children. 

“The Cuyahoga County Fatherhood Initiative continues to encourage both parents to stay involved in the raising and nurturing of their children during these challenging times,” said Al Grimes, administrator of the Cuyahoga County Fatherhood Initiative. “Children need the guidance of both their father and mother to excel under this different and unique learning and social environment, even if the parents are living in separate households.”

Many of the programs that are funded by the Fatherhood Initiative continue to offer the same services online or by phone. Below is a list of meetings and activities provided by close partners and the funded programs of the Fatherhood Initiative.

Ongoing meetings and programs for May 2020:

Workforce Training

• The Career Development and Placement Strategies Program (Rising Above) is conducting virtual workforce development training Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 216-881-5866 for more information.
• Towards Employment (workforce development) is conducting virtual orientation and coaching and virtual workshops will begin on May 5. Call 216-696-5750 for more information.

Parenting/Fatherhood

• The Fathers and Families Together program is conducting regular parenting trainings via conference call for fathers on Fridays. Call 216-325-9124 for more information.
• The Healthy Fathering program at University Settlement is conducting online meetings for fathers on Mondays at 6 p.m. Call 216-314-0019 for more information.
• University Hospitals is continuing to conduct the Boot Camp for New Dads program virtually. The next class is scheduled for Saturday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call 216-844-4000 or 440-995-3831 for more information.
• MetroHealth Hospital is continuing to conduct the Boot Camp for New Dads program virtually. The next class is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call 216-778-3381 for more information.
• CEOGC is providing 24/7 Dads Curriculum virtually on Fridays from 4-6 p.m. Call 440-222-9264 for more information. 

Custody and Visitation

• The Domestic Court continues to hold custody and visitation mediations virtually. Contact Domestic Relations Court at 216-443-8842 regarding virtual custody and visitation mediation matters.
• Juvenile Court is scheduled to restart custody and visitation mediations virtually on May 4. Contact Juvenile Court at 216-443-3149 for information regarding virtual custody and mediation matters.
• The Safe and Sound Visitation Program is not doing supervised visits but is continuing to do Safe Weekend Exchanges for registered families. Contact the Safe and Sound Supervised Visitation Center at 216-229-2420 regarding supervised exchange program matters.

Community Resources

• The Cleveland Public Library continues to offer a range of services and activities online.
• The Greater Cleveland Foodbank is continuing their drive-thru food pickup every Thursday at the Muni Lot from 2-5 p.m. Call 216-738-2067 for more information.     
• Catholic Charities, St Philip Neri Family Center will be offering their food pantry program on Friday, May 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call 216-391-4415 for information.

Visit the Fatherhood Initiative or call 216-348-3967 for information.