White Reminds Parents of Helpful State Resources
COLUMBUS – State Representative Andrea White (R-Kettering) wants to remind parents of helpful resources to support their children’s education and parenting needs.
“As a parent, I remember the arrival of fall always brings with it new opportunities...but also new adjustments and expenses,” White said. “As a state, we’re always looking for opportunities to support families and I wanted to make sure residents were aware of some great free and cost-saving resources Ohio offers to help youth and parents flourish.”
Afterschool Enrichment Program-
For parents wanting to provide an additional educational experience for their children outside of the classroom, the state offers a $500 stipend to support families who qualify.
Last year the General Assembly created and funded the Ohio Afterschool Enrichment Program with $125 million to provide school-age children an educational savings account tailored toward providing children with funds to pay for learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
The program will fund an account with $500 to be used to pay for a variety of enrichment activities that can help accelerate learning. To be eligible for an educational savings account, a student must be between 6-to-18 years old, be enrolled in a public, nonpublic or homeschooled and a family’s income must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty line.
The funds are then used to pay for enrollment or expenses associated with afterschool activities. There are hundreds of eligible programs offered around the state and more than 150 programs in Montgomery County.
To sign up for an educational savings account, click HERE.
Triple P, Positive Parenting Program-
This free evidence-based online parenting education program is designed to teach parents and caregivers skills and strategies to prevent problems in the family, school or community before they arise and create family environments that encourage children to reach their potential. Triple P's online parenting support allows caregivers to develop skills with children that will last a lifetime -- resilience, problem-solving and healthy self-esteem.
The Ohio Children's Trust Fund and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services are covering the cost of this parenting program that is backed by almost 35 years of ongoing research so that it is free for all Ohio parents, grandparents and caregiving volunteers and professionals who want to use it.
“As chair of the Ohio Children's Trust Fund Board, I support this investment in strong families,” White said, “and encourage you to check out the learning options for both individuals and groups geared for early childhood through the teen years.”
Get your free code at www.triplep.online/ohio.
Imagination Library-
The imagination library is an early literacy campaign offered through the state to provide children aged 0-5 with one free book a month.
The program initially started in 2019 as the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library offering books in only a few counties around the state. Now, the program has flourished into the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio offering books to every of age child in the state.
To sign up for a free monthly book or learn more about the program click HERE.
Ohio Children’s Trust Fund-
The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund was statutorily created in 1984 and serves as Ohio’s sole public funding source dedicated to the primary and secondary prevention of child abuse and child neglect. The OCTF is governed by a 15- member board, representing a broad public-private partnership.
The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund has a simple goal of preventing child abuse and neglect through investing in strong communities, healthy families and safe children. The OCTF is administratively controlled by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.
The OCTF works with parents and childcare partnerships to help provide financial coverage for programs to help enrich Ohio children’s lives through parenting initiatives.
You can find out more about the OCTF HERE.