Grant to expand mentoring for Ohio inmates' children

COLUMBUS (AP) — A federal grant will help children’s advocacy groups throughout Ohio expand the mentoring they provide to kids whose parents are behind bars.

An estimated 56,000 children in Ohio have a parent currently in prison.

A $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health And Human Services will allow Big Brothers/Big Sisters agencies across the state to provide mentors for an additional 433 children.

The Columbus Dispatch reports today that the money also will be used to continue support for 476 children of prisoners statewide already matched with mentors.

Advocates say if the grant is renewed over the next three years the agencies could serve 1,500 more children.