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, resources and agencies. There is helpful information about developmental milestones, screenings, emotional wellness tips, healthy pregnancy and more.
boldbeginning.ohio.gov
Child Care Search: childcaresearch.ohio.gov
Check Eligibility for State Programs: Eligibility Assessment
Provides free information, resources and support for pregnant / parenting women and teens. Baby Bump & Beyond is a direct connection to help families find the level of support and resources needed through every stage of growth–for mom, dad, caregiver, child and the entire family. Call, or send a message online for help with setting up the first prenatal visit and refer to other resources.
1111 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 645-1717 or (614) 656-3322 and ask for Baby Bump & Beyond
columbus.gov/celebrate-one
Community resource map: healthcare-access-columbus.opendata.arcgis.com
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/ccampis
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
Provides health and safety training (like CPR, first aid, communicable disease and child abuse recognition and prevention) for child care employees as well as the communities they serve. All training is conducted onsite and classes are open to the public. Cost is minimal.
PO Box 6292, Columbus, Ohio 43206
(614) 721-7222
childcaretrainingohio.com
Works with schools, community organizations, faith-based groups and child care providers throughout Ohio to increase participation in USDA child nutrition programs.
Columbus Location: 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 high quality early learning so that children are ready for Kindergarten and can achieve school success. CELC Centers are rated 5 Stars in the Step Up to Quality Rating System. They offer a home visiting program as well, which provides free books and toys for families with children ages 16 months through 4 years. They offer center-based care for families with children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. CELC also provides expectant parents and parents of newborns support through the Healthy Families America program. They have multiple locations throughout Columbus.
Provides services related to childhood injury prevention:
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-7748
columbus.gov/publichealth/programs/childhood-injury-prevention
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 can apply for services as well.
Call (844) 640-6446 to apply for SNAP/OWF cash assistance/Medicaid benefits
Child Care: (614) 233-2000
Medical Transportation: (614) 233-2381
Workforce Development: (614) 212-1800
jfs.franklincountyohio.gov
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
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.
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
Provides information, resources and services related to early learning and school readiness. Also, licenses preschool programs and school-age child care operated by schools and educational centers.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(877) 644-6338
education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning
Their website offers a lot of information for professionals about food programs at schools and child care centers, during the summer, and for individuals who have mental or physical disabilities.
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
Helps licensed preschools and child care providers in Ohio with preschool-age children whose behavior poses challenges in the preschool setting, putting them at risk for expulsion. To access free on-site consultation services call the number below or complete their online request form. OPEPP is a collaboration among the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), Big Lots Behavioral Health Services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and local early childhood mental health providers.
(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
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
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
Provides early childhood education and additional supportive services for infants and toddlers ages six weeks through age four, and their families living at or below the poverty line. In addition to child care centers and family child care homes, they offer children onsite medical, hearing, dental, vision exams, developmental screenings, nutritional care and mental health access. They also connect parents to community resources including housing stability, workforce development, education, and financial security. There are no direct fees associated with enrollment in Early Head Start. However, families are required to pay their Publicly Funded Child Care copay to the child care center/family child care home, if applicable.
175 East Seventh Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
General Information: (614) 292-7680
Apply for Services: (614) 294-2661, ext. 2528
go.osu.edu/goodstart