• Identify WIOA‑eligible college students

• CCMEP enrollment through OhioMeansJobs

• Paraprofessionals

• Tutors & mentors

• STEM/robotics aides

• Attendance & family engagement support

• Mentor training

• Youth‑protection training

• Job readiness workshops

• Classroom roles

• Internships

• Pre‑apprenticeships

• Student teaching

• Credential support

• Licensure pathways

• Full‑time employment

A. Dayton Public Schools Leadership

• Superintendent and Human Resources Department — approve school‑based placements, job descriptions, and supervision models.

• Board of Education — formal approval if the program involves paid roles, internships, or district funding.

• Department of Student Services / Career Pathways — operational coordination for student placements and mentor oversight.

B. Montgomery County Workforce Development Board

• Oversees WIOA Youth funding and contracts through OhioMeansJobs Montgomery County.

• Must approve the nonprofit (e.g., GrandParents Hands & Children Charity) as a WIOA Youth provider or partner.

• Ensures compliance with federal WIOA regulations (eligibility, reporting, 20% work experience rule).

C. Partner Colleges

• Career Services or Experiential Learning Offices — approve internships, work‑study, or service‑learning credit.

• Education and Social Work Departments — align placements with academic requirements.

• Financial Aid Offices — coordinate WIOA or stipend payments if tied to student aid.

D. County and State Oversight

• Montgomery County Commissioners — may need to sign off if county funds or contracts are used.

• Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) — ensures compliance with state WIOA Youth standards.

E. Nonprofit Partner Approval

• GrandParents Hands & Children Charity would need to be formally recognized as a WIOA Youth partner or subcontractor under the county’s workforce system.

• This involves a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DPS and the Workforce Board.

GPH: Ohio’s First Education‑Apprenticeship Connector

Ohio has apprenticeship programs for construction, manufacturing, and healthcare — but no statewide or regional nonprofit has ever connected colleges and K–12 schools to build apprenticeships inside classrooms.

Until now.

GrandParents Hands & Children Charity (GPH) is stepping forward as Ohio’s first dedicated connector nonprofit focused on placing trained college students into real classrooms as mentors, tutors, and future‑teacher apprentices.

We bridge the gap between:

Local Colleges & Universities  

• Wright State • Sinclair • University of Dayton • Central State • Bowling Green • Kent State

Local School Districts  

• Dayton Public • Trotwood‑Madison • Jefferson Township • Northridge • Sandusky City Schools

Community Partners  

• Youth programs • Mental‑health support

Our mission is simple and urgent:

Bring more caring, trained adults into Ohio’s classrooms — and build a pipeline of future teachers who are prepared, supported, and ready to lead.

Why Ohio Needs a Connector Nonprofit Now

Ohio’s urban schools face:

• High teacher attrition

• Rising student needs

• Out‑of‑field teaching

• Classroom instability

• Limited adult support

At the same time, Ohio’s colleges are full of:

• Future teachers

• Psychology and social‑work majors

• Youth‑development students

• First‑generation college students seeking paid experience

• Young adults who want to make a difference

But no one is connecting these two worlds.

GPH fills that gap.

What GPH Does as a Connector

1. Recruit

We identify college students who want hands‑on experience in education, youth development, or mental‑health support.

2. Train

We provide school‑safe, trauma‑informed, SEL‑aligned training so mentors enter classrooms prepared.

3. Place

We match mentors with schools that need:

• Classroom support

• Small‑group instruction

• Behavior and SEL assistance

• Teacher relief and stability

4. Support

We coach mentors, track impact, and ensure teachers feel the difference.

5. Build Pathways

We help college students transition into:

• Teaching

• Paraprofessional roles

• School‑based mental‑health careers

• Youth‑development leadership

Why This Matters for Ohio’s Future

By connecting colleges and K–12 schools, GPH strengthens:

• Teacher judgment

• Classroom stability

• Student engagement

• School culture

• The future educator pipeline

This is not just support —

It is a structural solution to Ohio’s teacher‑workforce crisis.

GPH is proud to lead this work as the first nonprofit in Ohio dedicated to building education apprenticeships and classroom mentoring pathways across the state.