Provides free information on childcare and early development for parents and caregivers; and professional support for childcare providers. They offer year-round parenting classes for parents with kids of all ages throughout Central Ohio, information about choosing quality childcare, family-focused kindergarten-readiness program, and resources for co-parenting.
78 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 224-0222 in English & Spanish or (855) 302-4453
actionforchildren.org
afclearning.org
Click for CPR classes:
ACLS Training Center
American Heart Association
Central Ohio CPR
Provides resources and information for parents and providers on early education, child care, and safe sleep.
aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/healthy-child-care
Offers disaster presentations, First Aid, CPR, AED, Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care professionals, babysitting and child care, swimming and water safety and lifeguarding classes/training to the public. Visit their website for a schedule of classes, pricing and registration information.
Central & Southern Ohio Regions:
redcross.org/local/ohio/central-and-southern-ohio.html
redcross.org/take-a-class
Anyone with young children in their life can use this website to learn about Ohio’s early childhood programs and agencies. There is helpful information about developmental milestones, screenings, emotional wellness tips, healthy pregnancy and more. Use the Child Care Search tool to find a quality program near you.
boldbeginning.org
Child Care Search: childcaresearch.ohio.gov
Ohio Department of Children and Youth: childrenandyouth.ohio.gov
Provides free information and support for pregnant / parenting women and teens, including help finding a doctor, free pregnancy tests, home visiting, and support groups. Baby Bump & Beyond connects families to support and resources through every stage of growth–for children, caregivers, and the entire family. Call for help with setting up the first prenatal visit and referrals to other resources.
1111 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 570-3592 or (614) 656-3322
Community resource map: healthcare-access-columbus.opendata.arcgis.com
columbus.gov/Government/Mayors-Office/Initiatives/CelebrateOne
Authorized by the Higher Education Act and administered by the U.S. Department of Education, this program provides childcare for children 6 weeks to 12 years old for parents who are low-income and enrolled at Ohio State University (OSU). Along with childcare, parents are provided with priority scheduling, mentoring/coaching, and referrals to connect your family to university and community resources.
84 North 17th Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 292-0531
odi.osu.edu/students/undergraduate/access-collaborative/child-care-access-means-parents-school-ccampis-program
Provides information on how to find high quality child care in the community, including steps toward choosing quality child care, ways to help pay and budget for child care, state-by-state resources and more. The website also provides information and resources on starting and operating a successful child care business. Visit the website for additional contact information.
Child Care Referrals, Resources & Information Where You Live: (800) 424-2246
childcareaware.org
Ohio: childcareaware.org/state/ohio
Delivers Head Start and Early Head Start educational services to infants and children ages 6 weeks-5 years. They operate childcare centers and provide home-based services. Programs include developmental screenings, nutrition services, onsite medical screenings, kindergarten readiness preparation, speech, vision, and hearing screenings, and family case management. Children in kinship care, foster care, families that are homeless and children with disabilities have priority for enrollment. Visit the website for Head Start locations and Child Care partner agencies.
Enrollment Line: (614) 271-4056
Main Office: (614) 431-2186
cdcheadstart.org
Provides health and safety training (like CPR, first aid, communicable disease and child abuse prevention) for childcare employees as well as the communities they serve. They offer online, blended, and group trainings for a minimal fee. Go online to find course details and to register. Trainings have been approved by Ohio Department of Education, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and OSHA.
(614) 721-7222
childcaretrainingohio.com
Serves: Families with children under the age of 6, children with autism or developmental delays
Early childhood educational services for children including early childhood intervention, toddler classes, and home visits. Their preschool program serves a 50:50 ratio of children both with and without developmental delays, a research-based approach aimed at creating inclusive communities. The PLAY Project is an evidence-based, parent-implemented autism intervention for young children. The center also has educational resources for families, training opportunities for professionals, and community events. Find program and enrollment details online.
674 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 253-6933
childhoodleague.org
Works with schools, community organizations, faith-based groups and child care providers throughout Ohio to increase participation in USDA child nutrition programs. Contact their office for help finding childcare centers, after school programs, weekend programs, and summer programs that offer free food for kids.
1105 Schrock Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229
(614) 341-7700
childrenshungeralliance.org
A free child care resource and referral agency serving families of all income levels within the 31 counties of Ohio in the Appalachian region. They have a list of child care programs, including Head Start Programs, public pre-schools, child care centers, family child care homes, school age programs, and infant care programs. Coad4kids is part of a statewide network of child care resource and referral agencies, so if you live outside their service area call them and they can direct you to an agency near you.
(800) 577-2276
coad4kids.org
Provides childcare for children ages 6 weeks-5 years at their five Early Learning Centers in the Near East and Linden neighborhoods of Columbus, Ohio. Their centers use a play-based curriculum and positive discipline. The Alum Creek Early Learning Center is a PreK-12 school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, and the Myrtle Avenue Early Learning Center is for ages 4-5. The ParentChild+ Program provides free home-visits, books, toys, and referrals to community services for families with a child 1-2years old. The Healthy Families America program provides free, in-home child development assistance for expectant parents or parents of newborns to learn about creating a safe home environment, soothing crying babies, and promoting healthy development.
Provides an online resource directory for families in Central Ohio to find consciously chosen resources. Their resources include education and tutoring, childcare, pregnancy, mental health providers, fun activities, and more. Small business owners can join the Business Collective to be added to their directory and access professional support services. Families can call the number below for free concierge services to help them get connected to the resources they are looking for.
PO Box 1655, Delaware, Ohio 43015
(614) 315-1851
consciouscommunitycollectives.com
Provides information, resources and services related to early learning and school readiness. This office also licenses preschool and childcare programs. Use the website to find information on Head Start programs, search for licensed preschools or childcare, kindergarten readiness, and additional resources and programs available for families in Ohio.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(877) 644-6338
education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning
Serves: children and adults with developmental disabilities
Provides comprehensive health services for children and adults living with disabilities. Services include early childhood education, adult day services, in-home care, referral services, and outpatient therapies. They also offer afterschool programs and summer day camps for children.
Provides information about food assistance (Ohio Direction Card / EBT), cash assistance, medical assistance (like Medicaid), job training, emergency assistance (PRC), help with paying for child care and more. Each center serves certain zip codes. People outside of Franklin County should visit their local county Department of Job and Family Services. Refugees and immigrants should apply for services as well.
Call (844) 640-6446 to apply for SNAP/OWF cash assistance/Medicaid benefits
Medical Transportation: (614) 233-2381
Workforce Development: (614) 212-1800
jfs.franklincountyohio.gov
Find Your Local ODJFS Office: jfs.ohio.gov/about/local-agencies-directory
Self-Service Ohio Benefits Portal: benefits.ohio.gov
Provides free programming to schools and youth serving organizations to support kids and families with the resources they need to make healthy choices, build resiliency, achieve goals, and to form healthy habits for life. The LifeStar Challenge motivates and educates kids on the importance of physical activity, proper nutrition, and setting and achieving personal health goals through three simple principles, “I Am Active! I Eat Right! I Can Do It!”. In addition, they offer resources and support for families that can be accessed any time.
1585 Neil Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 563-8926
www.healthylifestars.org
Faith-based organization providing a wide range of services across Ohio. Services include Faith Mission homeless shelter, food, health care, affordable senior living and domestic violence help. Visit the website for detailed program information and to find an office near you. The United Way/LSS 211 Information and Referral network can connect you to other social services across Franklin County.
Has a national voluntary accreditation program for child care centers who wish to meet quality standards that go above and beyond basic licensing requirements. They also provide research-based resources, tips and ideas for families from child development to reading, writing, music, math and more.
1313 L Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20005
(800) 424-2460
naeyc.org
Their website provides information on a variety of safety topics, including bicycle safety, burns, poison, transportation, home safety, gun safety, sports and recreation, and more.
nationwidechildrens.org/injury-research-and-policy-injury-topics
Offers a range of free and low cost classes for children, teens, adults and parents of infants and kids of all ages and abilities. Find courses on everything from babysitting and parenting to CPR training, autism and diabetes. Classes include:
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 355-0662
nationwidechildrens.org/education-classes
Parents can apply for an Ohio ID card for their children at any Deputy Registrar BMV location. Parents of children who have an Ohio ID card can also add their contact information to their child’s record for use in the event the child becomes lost or is reported missing. The fee is waived for children under age 17 with a disability.
1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223
(844) 644-6268
Ohio ID Card Info: bmv.ohio.gov/dl-id-card.aspx
Find a location near you: publicsafety.ohio.gov/local-office
Provides professional development and technical assistance to local child care, early learning, and out of school time programs.
2760 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 396-5959 or (877) 547-6978 Toll-free
occrra.org
Their website offers important information for families and professionals about state food and nutrition programs. Find guidelines for child and adult care food programs, the national school lunch program, summer food programs, and more.
education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Food-and-Nutrition
All child care centers in the state of Ohio are licensed by the ODJFS or the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). These websites also provide information on licensing rules, forms and training. Parents can search online for child care providers by location, type of facility and ages of children, its licensing status, its location and the number and ages of children served. Print out the two-page Parent’s Guide to Choosing Safe and Healthy Child Care checklist.
30 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
ODJFS Child Care Help Desk: (877) 302-2347
jfs.ohio.gov/cdc
Licensing Information: jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/providers.stm or education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning/Preschool-Licensing
This free, statewide program helps licensed preschools and childcare providers address challenging behaviors while avoiding expulsion. The program provides on-site support, access to trainings, tools, and resources to manage challenging behavior in preschool age children. Parents or childcare providers can call or complete the online form for a free consultation.
(844) 678-2227
nationwidechildrens.org/preschool-expulsion-prevention
Provides training and educational resources for families to help support their child’s learning, emotional health, and plans for the future. They also build professional training and tools for school leaders, teachers, and community partners.
1900 Kenny Road, Suite 1036, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-2805
ohiofamiliesengage.osu.edu
The Schoenbaum Family Center at the Ohio State University (OSU) provides childcare through the A. Sophie Rogers School for Early Learning, community programs for children and families, advocacy, and professional development for educators and childcare providers. Call or go online to apply for programs.
175 East Seventh Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
sfc.osu.edu
Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam’s Memory) helps schools nationwide implement programs to make automated external defibrillators (AEDs) readily available by preparing schools for a cardiac emergency through emergency response plans, staff CPR and AED training, student CPR education, and sudden cardiac arrest awareness education. Additional contact information and instructions on how to become a Heart Safe School can be found on their website.
nationwidechildrens.org/project-adam
Offers CPR/AED, First Aid, ACLS, BLS for health care providers, and PALS classes through the American Heart Association. Classes are taught by nurses and paramedics. They serve all ages as long as the trainee can perform the necessary skills of CPR (approximately 12-90 years of age). Visit the website for schedules and prices.
1350 West Fifth Avenue, Suite 116, Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 949-9178
rapidresponsetraining.org
Provides a variety of programs designed to strengthen families on the South Side of Columbus. Services include GED classes, adult education and workforce development, early education child care, youth and family services, in collaboration with community partners (Boys & Girls Club, House of Hope, Southeast Healthcare Services, Godman Guild, St. Stephen’s Community Center, Alvis, Community Development for All People).
280 Reeb Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43207
(614) 468-9280
reebavenuecenter.org
A nationally-recognized program developed by pediatricians that provides quality babysitting training programs for youth at many locations throughout Columbus and Ohio. Click to find program locations.
safesitter.org
A network of partners in the South Side of Columbus working to holistically improve quality of life for residents. Their website has helpful information and resources for finding healthcare and insurance, healthy eating, resilience, mental and physical wellness, and managing chronic conditions. Use their Resource Map to locate resources like food, childcare, healthcare, legal help, and more in the South Side. Go online to contact the organization.
southsidethrive.org
Provides quality, holistic early childcare and education for ages 6 weeks-5 years with a focus on community partnerships and family empowerment. Programs include infant care, preschool, Head Start, special needs services, and Family Resource Center. Tuition options include publicly funded Title XX, early care and education grants, Early Start Columbus, Military/Veteran support, and private pay with sliding scale. Their website also has resources on professional learning for educators. Call or go online for enrollment details and to request a tour.
Office: 1621 West First Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43212
Childcare Center: 280 Reeb Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43207
(614) 444-1529
sproutfive.org
Faith-based community center serving the Linden-area community. Programs include rental and utility assistance, childcare for children 6 weeks to 5 years at Christ Child Early Learning Center, afterschool and summer programs, Kinship Aftercare, Family to Family empowerment program for families with open cases with FCCS, senior food and transportation, and more. They are also a Mid-Ohio Market site, providing a food pantry with Mid-Ohio Food Bank. Find program details online.
1500 East Seventeenth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 294-6347
saintstephensch.org