Early intervention is the term used to describe a range of services for young children experiencing a delay in some area of their development. Services may include home visits, speech therapy, physical therapy, or other specialized services based on the needs of the child and family. Getting access to early intervention as soon as possible can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills and overcome challenges.
Helpful Resources:
Provides free information on childcare and early development for parents and caregivers; foster parent training, 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. They also offer Help Me Grow Home Visiting for parents who are pregnant or have a baby up to 2 years old.
78 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 224-0222
Parent Learning Website: afclearning.org
Main Website: actionforchildren.org
Program: Offers a virtual clinic with a team of pediatricians who specialize in helping families navigate autism. Families can visit the website to schedule an online/telehealth diagnostic evaluation to see if their child’s behaviors are best explained by autism or another diagnosis.
Eligibility: Children ages 16 months to 10 years old.
Cost: Accepts Medicaid, AmeriHealth Caritas, Anthem BCBS, Buckeye Health Plan, UHC Community Plan, Aetna, Tricare, Humana, CareSource, private pay, or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. Families can call their office for help advocating for coverage.
Referral: No referral is required, families may visit the website to schedule an appointment.
(866) 219-8595
asyouare.com/state/ohio
Serves: Children, teens, individuals, and families with ID/DD and/or behavioral health challenges.
Provides person-centered care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges. They offer primary care, dental, psychiatry, outpatient behavioral health, community-based ABA, care coordination, long-term and temporary residential support, in-home and out-of-home respite services, day programs, and afterschool programs. Family Support Services are provided by the State of Ohio for families who need help keeping their loved one at home. Services vary by location, find details and request an appointment on their website.
(800) 409-2729
iamboundless.org
Supports individuals and families experiencing violence, including; child abuse and neglect, teen dating abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse. Services include:
655 East Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43205
General: (614) 722-8200
familysafetyandhealing.org
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
Program: Nonprofit providing occupational individual and group therapy, speech and hearing evaluations, audiology and hearing aid services, speech-language therapy sessions, community outreach programs, American Sign Language (ASL) classes for adults and youth ages 16 and older, and a Support Service Provider program.
Eligibility: Varies by program, serves young children (under the age of 6 years old) up to seniors (65 years old and older)
Cost: Varies by program; self pay and accept many insurances, including Caresource, Molina and Medicaid
Referral: Individuals may refer themselves or be referred by a physician or organization
(614) 263-5151
columbusspeech.org
This church provides several important community programs in the Merion Village neighborhood of Columbus, along with worship services. Programs include daily Fresh Markets with free produce for income-eligible individuals, nutrition education, free health and wellness classes, community events, an after-school program at Lincoln Park Elementary, Free Store, and ID 4 All People.
Fresh Market Website: heal4allpeople.org/all-people-s-fresh-market
Main Website: 4allpeople.org
Provides developmental evaluations, early intervention, and special education services for children living in Granville, Heath, Licking Valley, North Fork and Johnstown School Districts. They also offer a social-behavioral program for students, ages 2 ½ – 6, with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and/or significant communication and social emotional deficits.
119 Union Street, Newark, Ohio 43055
(740) 349-1629
lresc.org/FlyingColorsPreschool.aspx
Help Me Grow is a system of free support services for pregnant parents, caregivers with young children, and families with young children with developmental delays and disabilities. Anyone can refer themselves or another family by completing the online form. Parents and pregnant people are encouraged to sign up for services as soon as possible. Services include:
Franklin County: (614) 656-3322
Ohio: (800) 755-4769
Online Referral Form: ochids.odh.ohio.gov/public/refer
Main Website: helpmegrow.org/Default.aspx
Provides developmental assessment and treatment services for children under the age of 21 with developmental, emotional, or behavioral concerns. Their team of certified Developmental Behavioral Pediatricians, Nurse Practitioners, and Psychologists can help coordinate services with families, schools, community organizations, and other healthcare providers to meet the individual needs of your child. Developmental evaluations are offered at the Livingston Ambulatory Clinic in downtown Columbus. Additional specialty services such as the Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Autism, and Behavioral Health clinics may be offered at their locations downtown or at the Child Development Center in Westerville, Ohio.
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic: 380 Butterfly Gardens Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 722-4050
Child Development Center: 187 West Schrock Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081
nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/developmental-and-behavioral-pediatrics/our-clinics
Provides comprehensive services for children with hearing loss, including diagnostic assessment, early intervention, audiology, and specialized speech services. A multidisciplinary team of pediatric professionals works with families to assess the child’s needs and determine appropriate treatment. Additional Support Services are available for children under 3 years old with sensorineural hearing loss. They also offer regular Hearing Team Education, a series of educational presentations, and Hearing Loss Support Groups for parents, caregivers, and teens.
555 South Eighteenth Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
Main Office and Referral: (614) 722-6200
Support Services: (614) 722-2441
Support Groups: (614) 722-3049
nationwidechildrens.org/hearing
Serves: Infants, school-aged children, teens, and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
The Nisonger Center has a variety of programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. Services include developmental/diagnostic evaluations, clinical support services, specialized dental programs, inclusive childcare and early childhood education, social programs for teens, TOPS post-secondary education and transitional skills program for adult students at OSU, psychiatric services, and more. They accept all major insurances, Medicaid, Board of DD Waivers, and offer a sliding scale for payment. Scholarships and fee arrangements are available for some programs. Contact the center for program details and eligibility.
1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210
Administration: (614) 685-3192 or (855) 983-9955
nisonger.osu.edu
Hosts programs for all ages, including health and fitness, swimming, childcare, summer camps, juvenile justice, and housing services.
Locations & Contact Info: ymcacolumbus.org/locations
YMCA Columbus Main Website: ymcacolumbus.org