Coronavirus

Community Resources During Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

Where Can I Find Reliable Information on Coronavirus?

COVID-19 Testing Centers: coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards/other-resources/testing-ch-centers
COVID-19 Vaccine Locations: vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov or vaccines.gov
Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine for Youth Ages 12-17
COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments: All Ohioans 12+ are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Nationwide Children’s is a part of Ohio’s COVID-19 vaccination program and is vaccinating the general public ages 12+ for free.
COVID-19 Screening Tool
Ohio Department of Health (ODH): coronavirus.ohio.gov
- Statewide COVID-19 hotline for questions: 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) from 9a.m.-8p.m.
- Franklin County Public Health (FCPH): covid-19.myfcph.org, get update by texting ‘COVID19FC’ to 888-777
- Columbus Public Health (CPH): columbus.gov/coronavirus, call (614) 645-1519
- Find Your Local Health Department
Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): coronavirus.gov (Fact Sheets in Multiple Languages)
Ohio Governor Press Conferences: OhioChannel.org
Information on Infants, Children and Teens Health
How to notify your contacts if you’ve just been told you have COVID-19
“Our Community vs. COVID 19” Video by Columbus, Ohio Black Physician Network

Food & Meal Resources

LSS 211 Foodline: (614) 341-2282 or text “Food” to (614) 702-7772; for an online tool visit FreshTrak
Mid-Ohio Food Bank Help & How to Get Food – find food pantries and help to sign up for food benefits. If you are ill, disabled, or otherwise cannot make it to a pantry yourself, all Mid-Ohio Foodbank partner agencies use a proxy process where you can send someone to pick up food for you (Letter of Proxy in English & Spanish).
Free Mobile Produce Markets for 2021
Ohio WIC Directory – provide breastfeeding support, infant formula, food for pregnant and postpartum women and children ages up to age 5 (click here for updated Ohio Authorized WIC Food List)
Food Assistance (SNAP) – must meet eligibility requirement. Online shopping is available and including Amazon accepts SNAP EBT
Pandemic EBT – Ohio children who receive free or reduced-price meals at school will soon receive money to buy food through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, call (866) 244-0071 or visit here
Columbus Blessing Boxes Project – outdoor cabinets in public places that are stocked with non-perishable food items, basic toiletries, baby supplies, and more
Children’s Hunger Alliance – passing out free meals to children at various sites in Columbus
Columbus Food Not Bombs – offers fresh produce giveaways and free meals (no questions asked)
LifeCare Alliance Meals-on-Wheels – for seniors and veterans
Food Resource List from Columbus Public Health
Additional Food Pantry List
Veggie Van Online Market – order lower cost fresh produce with cash, credit/debit, EBT, or Produce Perks and pick up at one of the four locations in Columbus
USDA National Hunger Hotline: call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) from Monday through Friday to find school meals site in your area
Franklin County Community Pet Pantry

Housing, Utility, Internet & Shelter Resources

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program – Up to $50/month discount for broadband service or a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet, see here
Eviction Prevention Resources in Columbus/Franklin County
Columbus Homeless Hotline: (614) 274-7000
- For victims of domestic violence: (614) 224-4663
- For youth: (614) 294-5553
- List of shelters
AEP Ohio Suspension of Disconnects & Payment Hardship Plan – call (800) 672-2231
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio – call (800) 686-7826 or visit online at Puco.Ohio.Gov
PRC Plus Rental Assistance Program
Affordable Housing Alliance Resource Links
Financial Advice from Homeport – call (614) 545-4895 to schedule a telephone consultation
Guide to Coronavirus Mortgage Relief Options
Additional Help with Utilities
Free & reduced-cost internet service and/or computers for income-eligible families:
List of organizations providing free & reduced-cost mobile/cell phones with wireless service

Employment & Financial Help

Individuals & Families

**NEW**Starting on July 15th, 2021 through the Child Tax Credit included in the American Rescue Plan, families can qualify for more money and can receive payments monthly, rather than having to wait until the end of the year. Eligible families will receive $3,600 per child younger than 6 and $3,000 per child ages 6 to 17.
Funeral Assistance: FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020
jfs.ohio.gov/covid19local – FAQs about unemployment benefits
Unemployment.Ohio.Gov – or call (877) 644-6562 or (614) 387-8408 TTY to sign up for unemployment
Right to Recover – Financial Assistance Program at Columbus Urban League
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program will provide benefits for many individuals ineligible for state unemployment benefits, including self-employed workers and 1099 tax filers
Ohio Benefits (Cash Assistance) – must meet eligibility requirement
Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services (FCDJFS): Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) Program – provide short-term financial assistance for families struggling with a specific crisis situation
Financial assistance for veterans and active-duty member of the armed forces from Franklin County Veterans Service Commission
Guide to Financial Literacy & Education Resources
Protecting Your Finances During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Franklin County Skill Boost helps individuals recently affected by employment shutdown due to the COVID-19 Crisis and are experiencing financial challenges
List of Online Job Searches

Small Businesses & Nonprofits

Columbus-Franklin County COVID-19 Small Business Response and Recovery Fund
Franklin County Food Business Portal
COVID-19 Small Business Resource Guide
U.S Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance – for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program will provide benefits for many individuals ineligible for state unemployment benefits, including self-employed workers and 1099 tax filers
Coronavrus Emergency Loans – a guide and checklist prepared by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
United Way of Central Ohio Community Response Fund – for nonprofits seeking assistance
Additional economic resource list from Columbus Chambers

Mental Health & Coping Support for Kids & Parents/Caregivers

COVID CareLine: (800) 720-9616 from 8a.m. to 8p.m., 7 days/week
Crisis Numbers – Disaster Distress hotline and hotlines for people in crisis (including Spanish hotlines)
P.E.E.R. Center Warm Line: (614) 358-TALK (8255) from 10p.m. – 2a.m. for peer support
St. Vincent Family Center’s Warm Line: (614) 358-6400 from 9a.m. – 9p.m. Monday-Friday; free, no-commitment emotional support from a caring professional. Supportive for families and individuals experiencing emotional stress during this challenging time.
Find Local Mental Health Support
Behavioral Health Resources – provided by Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Mental Health & COVID-19 Information & Resources – provided by Mental Health America
Managing COVID-19 Related Stress
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Taking Care of Your Family During Coronavirus
Talking to Kids about Coronavirus
Talking to Children about COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource – offered in multiple languages
Talking to Kids with Learning Differences about Coronavirus
NPR 3-Minute Talk & Comic for Kids about Coronavirus
Setting a New Routine
Free Resources to Support Emotional Wellness & Stay Calm
Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19
Virtual Recovery Resources – including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, etc.

General Community Resources

Community Resources

Coordinated Referral Service Organizations
- LSS 211 Central Ohio (formally known as HandsOn Central Ohio): call 2-1-1
- Franklin County Public Health Free Care Coordination Program – call (614) 525-4892 or complete a form and a Community Health Worker will help connect residents to medical and social services throughout Franklin County
- Columbus Public Health Social Work Free Help Line – call (614) 645-6807 and staff will linking you to resources, health assessments, and screenings available
- YMCA Stable Families – call (614) 636-3208 to match with a service coordinator to get help in increasing household income, obtaining/maintaining safe and stable housing, and increasing the academic achievement of school-aged children
- Serving Our Neighbors (SON) Ministries – call (614) 586-7939 to help get connected to resources for Hilliard families
- Central Community House – call (614) 252-3157 to get help with locating services and resources (like food, clothing, transportation, utility help, health care, eviction prevention and more)
- HilltopUSA.org/Franklinton.org: (614) 636-3644
- Central Ohio Community Resources for Seniors – created by Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging; call (866) 243-5678 to be connected to the area agency on aging serving your community

Community Resources & Emergency Relief List – from City of Columbus
Resource List from Columbus Public Health – includes food resources, COVID testing sites and more
Partners for Kids offers a variety of resources to help practices stay atop of best practices through prescribing guidelines, publications and insurance information
Neighborhood Bridges – can request support or give support; offered in a few Franklin County suburbs
Franklin County Board of Commissioner Coronavirus Resource Updates – health, child support, dog shelter and adoption center, municipal court and more
Vineyard Columbus – offering supportive services
Central Ohio COVID-19 Resource Hub – created by MORPC
Franklin County Municipal COVID-19 Response Websites
Resources outside of Franklin County (in Athens, Muskingum, Ross and Scioto County, and other southeastern counties)
Domestic Violence Reporting & Helplines

Pregnancy, New Baby & Child Care

Coronavirus Information on Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Infant Health (from CDC)
Ohio WIC Directory – they provide breastfeeding support, infant formula, food for pregnant and postpartum women and children ages up to age 5
ODJFS-approved Centers for Pandemic Child Care – need help connecting with a provider, call (614) 224-0222, ext. 299
Breastfeeding support resources
Baby supplies and clothing resources
Fussy Baby Network for Support
For more “new baby” resources check out the Pregnancy and New Baby category!

Transportation

Health Care

Ohio Benefits (Medicaid) – must meet eligibility requirements to get healthcare coverage
- Questions about Ohio Medicaid (health insurance) for U.S. and non-U.S. citizens
- Assistance for lost insurance coverage
Free & Low-Cost Health Care Clinics
Prescription Help
Good Rx (medication prices, pharmacy locator)
Prescription Delivery
Filling Prescription Medicines During COVID-19 Outbreak – early refills and home deliveries

Legal Help

The Legal Aid Society of Columbus – legal updates and community resources
Ohio Legal Help – a nonprofit organization providing plain language legal help information
Franklin County Municipal Court Self Help Resource Center
- Franklin County Municipal Court Operations
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (Athens, Chillicothe, Newark, New Philadelphia, Portsmouth, Steubenville) – for immediate help, call (833) 288-2936

Supportive Services for Immigrants, New Americans & Ethnic Minorities

Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS)
Ohio Hispanic Coalition – assist Spanish-speaking, Latino community members apply for Medicaid, SNAP, Unemployment Compensation, and translate and communicating the Ohio Governor’s daily press conferences in Spanish through a daily Facebook live conference on their Facebook page
CBUS Village – translated resources and information in languages like Arabic, Nepali, Spanish, Somali and French
- Videos in multiple languages that explains COVID-19
For more resources for African and Asian immigrants, Hispanic/Latino individuals or other folks check out the various resources on our website!

Resources for Children with a Disability or Chronic Health Condition

Fun & Safe Activities for Families

Indoor & Outdoor Family Activities to Try During Closures
List of MetroParks, Central Ohio Trails, Ohio State Parks & Ohio Trails
Neighborhood Walking Maps – categorized by place and zip code
For more ideas and events check out our Fun & Free page!

Ways to Help

Ways to Help in Columbus During a Crisis
Neighborhood Bridges – can request support or give support; offered in a few Franklin County suburbs
Email together@governor.ohio.gov if you have ways you can help
For more ways to volunteer as a family visit our Volunteer page!

Education Resources

LearningOhio – Supplemental learning support for students with disabilities
Back-to-School Mental Health Guide from Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Free Homework Help – Learning Extension Centers, Columbus Metropolitan Library, SchoolHouse.World, AskRose, Socratic by Google, Photomath, & Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families
Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library – delivers free books to children from birth to age 5
How to Reduce the Stress of Schooling at Home
Distance Learning: 8 Tips to Help Your Child Learn at Home
Resources for Youth with Autism
List of Central Ohio Public Libraries – find audiobooks, talking picture books, online storytime, digital magazines & reading resources and more from your local library
PreK-12 Resources for Learning at Home
Educational Resources from State Support Team 11
Remote Learning Resource Guide – from Ohio Department of Education
Amazing Educational Resources Public Resource Group Chat
Social-Emotional Learning Printables for Families
Science Videos from The Rising Youth

For Healthcare Providers

Well-Being Resources for Ohio Physicians – offerings include free drop-in COVID-19 Physician Peer Support Sessions via Zoom
Text FRONTLINE for free crisis counseling through For the Frontlines/Crisis Text Line 2020
Sustaining the Well-Being of Healthcare Personnel During Coronavirus

Who Can Get Tested for Coronavirus?

Call your doctor to determine if you or your child meet the criteria for testing. Travel history, symptoms and exposures are the most important criteria. The guidelines are changing frequently. Call before going in to seek care, so the healthcare provider’s office can take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed. If you are planning on going to the emergency room, please call before arriving. If it’s an emergency, call 911.

Parent Resources