This website is for professionals and families who care for youth with special healthcare needs. It has lots of valuable knowledge for families and professionals about all aspects of care from understanding diagnoses, to accessing legal, education, and healthcare services, and best practices for clinicians. The portal also has a National Services directory to help find services near you.
Parent & Family Portal: medicalhomeportal.org/living-with-child
Physicians & Professionals Portal: medicalhomeportal.org/clinical-practice
Café and catering kitchen providing empowering survivors of sex trafficking in Central Ohio. Anyone can go online to view their Café Menu, place a Catering order, or purchase a gift card. Their programs include a 2 -year comprehensive workforce development program, CATCH Court Support for victims involved in the justice system, and affordable housing. The Butterfly Program is a peer-to-peer program for women healing from trauma and substance use disorder to work towards a GED or high school diploma, participate in counseling, receive assistance with paperwork, get record expungement, and other supports. They also offer community events, speaking engagements, and volunteer opportunities.
123 East Spring Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 92-3252
freedomalacart.org
The nation’s largest child protection organization with many programs and resources for exploited and vulnerable children and families:
Main Website: missingkids.org/home
Provides information, guidance and training on issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Anyone can call to speak to an ADA specialist. ADA specialists address complex questions on topics such as reasonable accommodations at work, building codes for new construction projects, accessible housing, and transitioning from school to work.
(800) 949-4232
adata.org
Provides information, advocacy, education, and support for members of the adoption triad (adoptees, birthparents, and adoptive/kinship/foster parents), youth in foster care, siblings, and related professionals. Services include in-person and virtual support groups, DNA discovery and birth parent search support, life coaching, specialized support for kinship families, and financial assistance through the Family Resilience Fund. They also provide professional education and internships, virtual speakers and trainings, and adoption assessor training. Anyone can call the Helpline for questions or support related to foster care and adoption.
12200 Fairhill Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44120
Helpline: (216) 325-1000
adoptionnetwork.org
A faith-based agency serving families and seniors in central and southern Ohio. Provides case management, food, and emergency assistance. They offer supportive services and community-impact opportunities for low-income seniors. The Our Lady of Guadalupe Center serves the Latino/Hispanic community on the West side of Columbus with a food pantry, ESL classes, legal and immigration consultations and referrals, and comprehensive case management.
Facilitates legal action related to cases of domestic violence or stalking, and provides education and support for victims. The unit provides specialized prosecutors to handle domestic violence cases and courtroom advocates to support victims. The website has important information about Protection Orders and FAQs about the court process. The website also lists contact information for prosecutors and victim advocates.
375 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Domestic Violence Director: (614) 645-6232
CHOICES 24-hour Domestic Violence Crisis Line: (614) 224-4663
city-attorney.columbus.gov/dv.aspx
Supports Ohio residents and organizations through advocacy and various programs aimed at ending homelessness. Their website has important information on emergency rental assistance across Ohio, landlord-tenet law, the Fair Housing Act, and more. Professionals can find opportunities for advocacy and training. The Housing Now for Families Program (HNHF) provides temporary financial assistance and supportive services for families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and meet income guidelines. Anyone can use the Crisis Text Line for immediate help from a Crisis Counselor, or call the Housing Information Line for advice on dealing with a specific housing issue. Use the Ohio Housing Locator website to search for affordable housing and emergency resources.
Main Office: (614) 280-1984
Housing Information Line: (888) 485-7999
Crisis Text Line: Text “4hope” to 741 741
Ohio Housing Locator: ohiohousinglocator.org
cohhio.org
Nonprofit serving refugees and immigrants in Central Ohio. Services include free immigration-related legal services, parenting support for families with children 0-15 in Franklin County, job training classes and career counseling, help getting healthcare, Victims of Crime Assistance (VOCA), and comprehensive case management for newly-arriving refugee families and individuals. CRIS Community Connectors is a mentorship program providing academic, employment, and social support for New Americans.
4645 Executive Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43220
(614) 235-5747
crisohio.org
This program provides court-appointed volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, throughout legal proceedings. CASA Volunteers get to know the child and conduct an investigation to understand the child’s situation, in order to make fact-based recommendations to the Juvenile Court about custody, placement, visitation and services that could assist the child or family. Go online to find program specifics or to become a CASA Volunteer.
373 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 525-7450
casa.franklincountyohio.gov
National civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities. They provide specialized legal services for cases that have the potential to affect large groups of people with disabilities and achieve law reform. Their website has helpful information on topics like healthcare access, special education, foster/kinship care, and transportation. They also post job and internship opportunities.
3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, California 94703
(510) 644-2555 or (510) 841-8645 TTY
dredf.org
Advocates for people with disabilities in Ohio. Their website has helpful resources on abuse, neglect and exploitation, employment, benefits counseling, education, voting, and more. Rise Up is an interactive youth advocacy guide with resources for transitioning into adulthood. Most of their resources are available in multiple languages, including Spanish and Somali. Complete the online intake form for legal help.
200 Civic Center Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 466-7264 or (800) 282-9181
Rise Up guides: disabilityrightsohio.org/riseup
Intake Form: disabilityrightsohio.org/intake-form
disabilityrightsohio.org
Serves Ohio’s Deaf, Deaf Blind, Deaf Disabled, and Hard of Hearing communities by offering culturally affirmative services in response to relationship and sexual violence. Call to speak to a trained advocate for individualized safety planning and case management. Referrals can be placed for material help, legal help, social services, and mental health counseling. They offer 24-hour advocacy for survivors of sexual assault at local hospital emergency rooms. They also hold trainings for volunteer advocates, professionals/providers working with Deaf clients, and Deaf Culture 101.
PO Box 1286, Worthington, Ohio 43085
Videophone: (614) 678-5476
Voice/Text: (614) 887-7233
National Deaf Hotline VP: (855) 812-1001
National 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline Voice: (800) 799-7233
dwaveohio.org
Handles all domestic relations matters, including protection for victims of domestic violence, for juvenile citizens. They offer a variety of mediation services to help settle matters without a full legal trial, Civil Protection Orders (CPO’s) / Juvenile Protection Orders (JPO’s), interpreters, Self Represented Resource Center (SRRC) for those who do not have the financial resources to retain private counsel, and more. Their Youth Education and Intervention Services Department works to divert youth from further involvement with the Juvenile Justice System through prevention, intervention and treatment services. Go online to find program details, FAQs, and legal forms.
373 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Administration: (614) 525-3628
drj.fccourts.org
Phone Directory: drj.fccourts.org/DRJ.aspx?PN=Quick_Phone_Directory.htm
County law library serving the legal community and general public. Services include access to legal research guides, a library of self-help legal resources, and printable court documents and legal forms. The Ohio Legal Aid Portal offers a quick survey to help you find lawyers and resources according to your legal needs and location.
369 South High Street, 10th floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 525-4971
lawlibrary.franklincountyohio.gov
Ohio Legal Aid Portal: ohiolegalhelp.org
Provides information and support to victims and witnesses navigating the criminal justice system. Assistants help victims in sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, stalking, and homicide cases. The Juvenile Division helps victims in cases where the offender is a parent or caretaker. The Victim Witness Assistant located at The Center for Family Safety and Healing provides on-site assistance to victims of child abuse seen at the Center. The website has helpful information on the duties of Victim witness Assistants, Victim Rights, Offender Search tools, and more.
373 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Adult Division: (614) 525-3555
Juvenile Division: (614) 525-4440
prosecutor.franklincountyohio.gov/criminal-division/victim-witness-unit
Offers free guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. JAN consultants offer one-on-one guidance on workplace accommodations, ADA and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities. Assistance is available both over the phone and online. Their website also has helpful information on a wide range of medical conditions with related resources and accommodations.
Voice: (800) 526-7234
TTY: (877) 781-9403
Text: (304) 216-8189
askjan.org
Provides free civil legal assistance and guidance to low income residents and senior citizens of Columbus and Central Ohio. Legal Aid attorneys may be able to help you with the following types of cases or legal problems: consumer law, family law, housing, public benefits, reentry, seniors, tax law, veterans, and education. Their website also has a page of Resources with easy to read information on these topics.
Easterseals Central and Southeast Ohio is the official Ohio State Long-Term Care Ombudsman sponsoring agency, for Region 6 and Region 8 Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs. The program advocates for excellence in long-term services and supports wherever consumers live. Ombudsmen do not regulate nursing homes and home health agencies, but do work with providers, residents, their families, and other representatives to resolve problems and concerns.
easterseals.com/centralohio/our-programs/senior-services/long-term-care-ombudsman.html
Provides important resources and information for victims of crime. Use the website to file a civil rights complaint, apply for victim compensation, or use the online directory to find victim assistance services across the country.
Hotlines & Contact Information: ovc.ojp.gov/help-for-victims/toll-free-text-and-online-hotlines
ovc.gov
Provides financial help to innocent victims of violent crimes (including domestic violence, sexual assault and homicide). Payments can cover medical expenses, counseling and lost wages. The application can be submitted online.
30 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(800) 282-0515
ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Victims/Apply-for-Victims-Compensation.aspx
Provides free legal representation to state and federal victims of crime throughout Ohio to ensure their constitutional and statutory rights are enforced and protected from the time a crime is first reported throughout the criminal justice process. They also offer Free Victims’ Rights Training to promote awareness of crime victims’ rights laws and to ensure consistent systemic implementation of crime victims’ rights laws.
PO Box 369, Powell, Ohio, 43065
(614) 848-8500
ocvjc.org
Crime Victims Rights Toolkit: victimsrightstoolkit.com
Works with victims of crime to support meaningful participation in post-conviction processes. Victims can go online to register for notifications, file a claim through the Victim Compensation Fund, and find additional resources and community organizations. Victim-Offender Dialogue (VOD) is a restorative justice process in which the victim of a violent crime and the offender meet with a dialogue facilitator.
4545 Fisher Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228
(888) 842-8464
Additional Contact Information: dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/drc.ohio.gov/Forms/VictServ_OVS%20Regional%20Map.pdf
drc.ohio.gov/victim-services/welcome
Agency providing culturally and linguistically-appropriate services for the growing Latino/Hispanic communities throughout Ohio. Services include homework help and after school programs, summer camps, financial education, translation and interpretation services, ESL and citizenship classes, and more. The Soy Latina program serves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and includes crisis intervention, safety planning, medical and legal advocacy, and a Community Empowerment Group.
Main Office: 1535 Bethel Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220
(614) 459-6566
Interpreter Services: (614) 746-1032
Soy Latina: (614) 746-3534
ohiohispaniccoalition.org
Offers a free Special Education Legal Clinic for parents of students with disabilities (ages 3-26). Parents and guardians meet with a special education advocate or attorney to ask questions and discuss challenges related to special education services. The Clinic includes a group workshop followed by a Q&A panel from special education professionals. Free, 30-minute guidance sessions with attorneys are also available.
262 South 3rd Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Columbus: (614) 745-2001
Cleveland: (216) 714-1515
Cincinnati: (513) 496-1635
lawyers4students.com/legalclinic
Started by Columbus City Council as an initiative aimed at expanding employment and housing opportunities for residents of Columbus and Franklin County by sealing their criminal records. Opportunity Port does not provide legal advice but helps former offenders seal their record. Visit their website for more information and to contact the organization.
opportunityport.org
Resource Center assisting with basic needs for New Americans. Services include ESL classes, employment services, computer literacy, citizenship assistance, homework and reading help, a monthly legal clinic, and summer programming for elementary and middle school children. Their office welcomes walk-ins for any questions about navigating life in America.
552 Riverview Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43202
(614) 427-3368
riverviewinternationalcenter.org
facebook.com/RiverviewInternationalCenter
Empowers youth in Columbus through equity and justice, bridge building, empowerment, belonging and fun. Programs include Guns DOWN group for ages 13-24 to heal from trauma and prevent violence, Unleashing Potential for ages 18-24 navigating the criminal justice system, and Summer Workforce for ages 14-24 to gain paid work and community service opportunities. Call for details.
(614) 323-9297
tmlyouth.org