Rep. Celebrezze named to state fatherhood commission after welcoming newborn

State Rep. Nick Celebrezze (D-Parma) announced today that he has been appointed to the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, just days after welcoming a healthy baby boy into the family. The Parma lawmaker and his wife, Doctor Niki Celebrezze, celebrated the arrival of Luka James Celebrezze on Monday evening.

“Engaged and active fathers are the foundation of strong families,” said Rep. Celebrezze. “I’m looking forward to both growing in my role as a father and also helping to strengthen other Ohio families through my work on the commission.”

The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood is a state-wide commission that seeks to help fathers become better parents, partners and providers. The commission funds a variety of community based programs that serve low-income fathers, such as job training, skills-based classes and individualized mentoring, and communications skills training that promotes healthy relationships.

Many of the fathers served by these programs were raised in father-absent homes and therefore lack experience in what it means to be a committed, involved and responsible father.

“Child development can be held back by the absence of strong parental role-models,” Rep. Celebrezze said. “The commission’s proactive approach to building and maintaining the father-child bond benefits Ohio families, our communities and our state.”       

In addition to funding fatherhood programs, the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood makes policy recommendations regarding fathers, engages the community and trains practitioners.