FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COLUMBUS, OH—MAY 5, 2026— A new statewide fatherhood “All Pro Dad: Win the Every Day,” is helping schools across Ohio strengthen student outcomes through a growing network of school-based father engagement chapters. The All Pro Dad chapter program was highlighted this week at the Midwest Regional Conference hosted by the National Alliance of Black School Educators.

The “Win the Every Day” campaign is a part of a new collaboration between Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) and All Pro Dad, a nationally recognized fatherhood program of the nonprofit Family First.

One of the key components of the collaboration is the expansion of All Pro Dad chapters, school-based programs designed to create consistent, meaningful opportunities for fathers and father figures. These chapters provide a structured, scalable model for schools seeking to increase family engagement and improve student outcomes. The chapter program currently has 32 chapters throughout the state of Ohio.

A featured breakout session, “Recognizing and Removing Barriers in Father Engagement,” held at the conference on Saturday, May 2, featured Graham Barber and Rodney Bussell, chapter expansion specialists with All Pro Dad. The session focused on the challenges fathers and positive male role models face when engaging in school communities and how school-based chapter programs can help overcome those barriers.

Barber and Bussell’s session encouraged open dialogue, helping participants identify obstacles and develop actionable solutions. It also examined the positive impact engaged fathers and male role models have on student success, highlighting how All Pro Dad chapters can help close engagement gaps.

The collaboration between DCY and All Pro Dad will expand efforts to strengthen families by connecting fathers across Ohio with resources, encouragement and connections that help them stay actively engaged in their children’s lives through a statewide media campaign, the All Pro Dad Chapters and the All Pro Dad Experience at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center June 15, 2026 just ahead of Father’s Day.

Since 2004, The All Pro Dad Experience has been held over 140 times in over 30 NFL and NCAA markets. During the three-hour experience, dads and kids rotate through stations and participate in interactive games designed to strengthen their relationships and deliver useful fatherhood tips.
For more information about All Pro Dad, upcoming events, and the “Win the Everyday” campaign, visit AllProDad.com/win.

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ABOUT ALL PRO DAD:

Founded by Mark Merrill and former NFL Head Coach Tony Dungy, All Pro Dad has served families and fathers for nearly 30 years. All Pro Dad provides resources, training, and events to help fathers as they raise their children for a healthy and hopeful future.

All Pro Dad is the fatherhood program of Family First, a national nonprofit organization based in Tampa that reaches thousands of parents each day through its two primary programs, All Pro Dad (AllProDad.com) and iMOM (iMOM.com), as well as through a radio program called the Family Minute With Mark Merrill (FamilyMinute.com).