Provides free information on childcare and early development for parents and caregivers; foster parent training, and professional support for childcare providers. Parent & Youth ambassadors offer free 1:1 care navigation services to help families with service referrals, benefit navigation, and more. They offer year-round parenting classes for parents with kids of all ages throughout Central Ohio, information about choosing quality childcare, and resources for co-parenting. Help Me Grow and SPARK Kindergarten Readiness programs offer free home-visiting services are available for parents who are pregnant or have a child up to 4 years old. FatherUp offers free support for dads navigating the child support system, co-parenting, employment, or other challenges.
78 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 224-0222
Checklist for Choosing Childcare: cap4kids.org/columbus/files/2018/09/5C-checklist.pdf
Childcare Finder: actionforchildren.org/parents-guardians/choosing-child-care
Parent Learning Website: afclearning.org
Main Website: actionforchildren.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
This website is a great source of verified health information for parents on a wide range of health topics, such as healthy living, family life, immunizations, child development, and medical conditions. They offer articles with topics including safety, disaster preparedness, fitness, school issues, dating, substance abuse, emotional wellness, psychiatric medications, grief and more. You can also use the website to find a pediatrician in your zip code.
healthychildren.org
Baby sign language is a way for all parents to improve early infant communication and communicate with children before they can speak. This website has free resources including videos, downloadable flash cards, and tutorials to help you start signing at home.
babysignlanguage.com
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
Offers an alternative to the court system by providing an impartial mediator who helps work out conflicts. They provide problem-solving services for domestic and family issues, divorce, neighborhood conflicts, tenant-landlord disputes to prevent eviction, workplace issues and consumer rights disputes. They also help clients access supports like rental assistance. Services are offered on a sliding fee scale. Professional training opportunities are available for individuals and organizations.
67 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 228-7191
communitymediation.com
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
Helps children and families in need or involved with multiple systems (like mental health, developmental disabilities, Franklin County Children Services, court, school) through service coordination. Their family-focused approach identifies and coordinates resources to better the lives of Franklin County youth, at no cost.
2760 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 407-9040
www.franklinfamilyfirst.org
Helps Franklin County residents access services from multiple agencies at one time. Visit to get help with food benefits, child care assistance, aging resources, caregiver and kinship resources, child support, re-entry support, unemployment support, utility help, and more. The office is open Monday through Friday 9AM-3PM.
369 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
franklincountyohio.gov/Resident-Services/One-Door-Services
Helps families struggling with their infants’ crying, sleeping or feeding. Call their Warmline for free to speak to an infant specialist. Services are available in English and Spanish. Visit the website for contact hours.
Erikson Institute
451 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Warmline: (888) 431-2229
erikson.edu/services/fussy-baby-network/
Provides national resources in support of grandfamilies within and outside the child welfare system. You can find information on current and pending laws, adoption, financial help, special guardian options and more. Visit the website for resources, programs and benefits.
grandfamilies.org
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
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, immigration, 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.
Faith-based organization offering support and community to parents in crisis. Crisis may include homelessness, addiction recovery, domestic abuse, and medical or family emergency. Children stay with host families so parents can focus on their own recovery/treatment. Parents are connected with a team of support and help accessing resources. Families are reunified upon recovery, and parents never lose custody of their children. The primary goal of the program is to keep families together. Call or complete the online form to request support. This program is available in Columbus and Mansfield, Ohio.
Columbus: (614) 210-3267
Mansfield: (419) 982-2839
myvillageministries.com
Free parenting program for parents and caregivers of children ages 2-8 who live in zip codes 43211 and 43224. Participants connect with other parents in the community at various locations in Linden for 11 weeks, and learn skills for raising young children.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 355-9327
nationwidechildrens.org/about-us/population-health-and-wellness/healthy-neighborhoods-healthy-families/neighbors/linden/proud-linden-parent-program
This website from Nemours Children’s Health offers tons of important health information for kids, teens, and their parents. Kids can find fun videos on how the body works and approachable answers to questions like, how do casts work? The Teen website covers topics like depression, sexual health, smoking, coping with cliques, binge drinking, body image and much more. Parents can find medically-reviewed articles on how vaccines work, how to choose a car seat, developmental milestones, supporting kids’ emotional wellbeing, healthy eating, and more. Educators can also find free health-related lesson plans for PreK-12.
Kids: kidshealth.org/en/kids
Teens: kidshealth.org/en/teens
Parents: kidshealth.org/en/parents
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 statewide advocacy, funding, and educational resources for parents and professionals to prevent child abuse and neglect. Programs include Parent Cafe support groups for parents and free online positive parenting class (Triple P). Browse their website for informational articles related to parenting.
(614) 387-5478 or (614) 722-5305
To report child abuse in Ohio: (855) 642-4453
Triple P: Positive Parenting Program
Central Ohio Website: Regional Prevention Councils/Central
Ohio Children’s Trust Fund Website: octf.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/octf
Their website contains helpful resources relating to juvenile justice, foster care, adoption, kinship care (relatives and non-relatives raising children) and information for youth transitioning from the foster system to adulthood, as well as advocacy information.
2600 Corporate Exchange Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43231
(614) 461-0014
ohiochildrensalliance.org
Educates, supports, and advocates for adoptive, foster, kinship and respite families impacted by Ohio’s child protection system. Provides educational resources, virtual family support groups, and a Warmline to get support. Keeps members up to date on the latest news related to foster care and adoption.
303 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 222-2712
Warmline: (800) 228-3014
ofcaonline.org
Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) are networks of families and educators supporting children’s learning. The Ohio PTA offers annual $500 scholarships for high school seniors pursuing higher education at a college or university, a technical certification, or Special Education degree. Students must attend a school in a district with official PTA status to apply. The National PTA offer additional awards and programs. Their website has tons of helpful information for parents and educators on topics like special education, state assessments, college readiness, summer learning, safety, and more.
40 Northwoods Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43235
(614) 781-6344
Ohio PTA: ohiopta.org
National PTA: pta.org/home/family-resources
Provides training and educational resources for families to support their child’s learning, emotional health, and plans for the future. They also offer professional training and tools for school leaders, teachers, and community partners. Visit the website for resources on topics including attendance, literacy, English learner family toolkits, and more.
1900 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-2805
ohiofamiliesengage.osu.edu
Provides birth parents the option to leave an infant (up to 30 days old) with a medical worker in a hospital, a medical worker at a fire department or other emergency service organization, or a peace officer at a law enforcement agency. If the infant is left with a person at one of these places and has not been abused, the parent will face no legal consequences for making this choice.
(866) 886-3537
jfs.ohio.gov/safe-havens
A group of teachers and parents in Dublin City Schools who provide education designed to keep youth safe and healthy. Underage drinking, internet safety, bullying and eating disorders are some of the topics they focus on. Presentations are free and open to the general public. They also link families to summer youth programs focused on healthy communication, emotional development, and self-confidence.
5175 Emerald Parkway, Dublin, Ohio 43017
percdublin.org
This website offers helpful advice, extensive information about drug and alcohol use, free online trainings, and support groups for parents. Text, call or email the free and confidential helpline. Visit the website for contact information. Support is available in both English and Spanish.
711 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017
Office: (212) 841-5200
Helpline: (855) 378-4373 or Text CONNECT to 55753
drugfree.org/get-support
Advocates for and supports child protection program and public policy for safe children, stable families, and supportive communities. They also provide leadership opportunities for young people (aged 14-24) who have experienced foster care. Go online to find resources and information, referrals, and follow-up services to grandparents and other relatives raising children through kinship care.
37 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 224-5802
pcsao.org
Online resource directory supporting families and children with life challenges, disabilities, and healthcare needs from prenatal to age 25. The website helps families find resources and organizations to meet their specific needs and challenges. Users can customize profiles by location (counties within Ohio), age ranges, medical conditions, and topics of interest.
redtreehouse.org
Provides practical tools and post-adoption support for parents of a different race than the children entrusted to them. They offer a monthly online support group for transracial adoptive parents, a monthly newsletter with resources and activities, and book recommendations for the family. They host an annual summer camp for families formed through transracial adoption to access post-adoption education and experience community. Contact the organization through the website.
transracialjourneys.org
A law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation, IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to eligible individuals 0-21 years old with disabilities. Their website has national resource directories, toolkits, and legal and advocacy updates.
ed.gov/about/ed-offices/osers/osep
Offers helpful information about behavior, development, care and education of infants in their first 3 years of life. Access free resources and articles to learn about prenatal care, what to expect as your child grows, how to deal with challenging behaviors, and evidence-based positive parenting practices.
(202) 638-1144
zerotothree.org