Columbus OH
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Advocacy & Parenting Information

Action for Children

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

Adoption Network Cleveland

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

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Foster Care Information

Provides information for young adults, families and professionals related to foster care, health and health insurance.
www.aap.org/en/patient-care/foster-care

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Healthy Children

The website has information on a wide range of health topics, including safety, fitness, school issues, dating, substance abuse; emotional wellness, including helping children handle stress, psychiatric medications, grief. It also provides information about healthy living, family life, immunizations, developmental stages and more.
healthychildren.org

BabySignLanguage.com

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.
babysignlanguage.com

BOLD Beginning! Ohio Early Childhood Programs

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

Bright by Text

Sends free games, tips, and resources right to your cell phone. Messages are targeted to your child’s age and include information on child development, language, early literacy, health, safety, behavioral tips and more.
Text BRIGHT to 274448 to sign up
Text STOP to 274448 to stop
Text HELP to 274448 for help
General Questions: (303) 433-6200
brightbytext.org

CDC Development Tracker

Download the free development tracker to follow a child’s normal development from age 2 months old to 5 years. Get tips from CDC for encouraging your child’s development; and find out what to do if you are ever concerned about how your child is developing.
cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app.html

Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program

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

Common Sense

  • Common Sense Media is a non-profit organization that offers age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites, books, and music.
  • Common Sense Education provides free resources, including ratings and reviews of digital tools, a comprehensive K–12 Digital Citizenship Curriculum, ready-made lesson plans, videos, webinars, and more.
  • Common Sense Kids Action is their advocacy platform.

commonsense.org

Community Mediation Services (CMS) of Central Ohio

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. Services are offered on a sliding fee scale.
67 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 228-7191
communitymediation.com

Conscious Community Collectives

Provides an online resource directory for families in Central Ohio to find consciously chosen local supports. Their resources include education and tutoring, childcare, pregnancy, mental health providers, adventures & fun, 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.
(614) 315-1851
villagefamilycollective.com/locations/central-ohio

Franklin County Family & Children First Council (FCFC)

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

Fussy Baby Network

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/

Grandfamilies.org

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 (HMG) Home Visiting Program

Program: Prenatal support, parenting education, developmental screenings, and linkage to community resources through home visiting services.
Eligibility: Women who are expecting and new parents whose first child is under six months old and meet income guidelines.
Cost: No cost to families.
Referral: A parent, guardian, home visiting provider or professional.
246 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Referral Line: (614) 656-3322 or (800) 755-4769
Central Intake and Referral Form: odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/ochids/public/refer

Their website also has information about child health, children with special needs, school readiness, safety, resources by county and parent rights.
helpmegrow.ohio.gov

JAN (Job Accommodation Network)

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

Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC)

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.

  • Columbus Office: serves Franklin and Madison county
    1108 City Park Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206
    Intake: (614) 241-2001
    General Inquiries: (614) 224-8374 or (877) 224-8374
  • Marion Office: serves Delaware, Marion, Morrow and Union county
    150 Oak Street, Marion, Ohio 43302
    (740) 383-2161 or (888) 301-2411

columbuslegalaid.org

Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Health e-Hints Newsletter

A free e-newsletter written by pediatric specialists and customized to meet the health and safety needs of your family. When you enter the ages of your child(ren), you will only get articles that are relevant to your family.
nationwidechildrens.org/e-newsletter-sign-up

NCH Proud Linden Parent

This program from Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) is free 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.
(614) 355-9327
nationwidechildrens.org/about-us/population-health-and-wellness/healthy-neighborhoods-healthy-families/neighbors/linden/proud-linden-parent-program

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles ID R Kids

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

Ohio Children’s Alliance

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

Ohio Children’s Trust Fund (OCTF)

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

Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Family & Community Engagement

Helps parents understand what children are expected to learn in school and how to help them succeed, so families can choose a school for their child, get involved in their child’s learning and get information about learners with special needs and talents.
education.ohio.gov/Topics/Student-Supports/Family-and-Community-Engagement/Getting-Involved-with-your-Child-s-Learning

Ohio Family Care Association (OFCA)

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

Ohio State University (OSU) Extension: Ohioline

Provides access to hundreds of handouts and resources, covering a wide array of subjects such as agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, community development, and youth development.

2120 Fyffe Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-6181
ohioline.osu.edu

Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center

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

Ohio’s Safe Havens for Newborns

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

Ounce of Prevention

This toolkit contains helpful online handouts with nutritional and developmental information for parents and physicians of newborns to teens, to help prevent childhood obesity.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-4824 or (614) 644-7035
nationwidechildrens.org/ounce-of-prevention

Parents Encouraging Responsible Choices (PERC)

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

Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

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
(212) 841-5200
Hotline: Text CONNECT to 55753
drugfree.org/get-support

Pathways.org

Provides expert-based information about early childhood development from preemie/NICU to 6 years old. You can find lots of educational information on developmental milestones, parenting practices, early detection of developmental delays, and more. Resources include free online parenting courses, a free app, developmentally appropriate videos and games for children and families.
Toll-free Parent-Answered National Hotline: (800) 955-2445
pathways.org

Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO)

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

Red Treehouse

Online resource supporting the physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of children and young adults, prenatal to age 25. The website helps families find resources, organizations and events to meet their specific needs and challenges. Users can customize profiles by location (counties within Ohio), age ranges and topics of interest.
redtreehouse.org

Safe Kids Central Ohio

Provides car seat inspections, educational resources, product recall information and safety tips to help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries. Visit their website for a list of car seat inspection locations.
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-6138
Car Seat Inspection Sites: safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-central-ohio
Main Website: safekids.org

Sesame Street in the Communities

Offers providers and parents resources to help children thrive and deal with issues that affect children’s lives. Resource topics include health and wellness, social-emotional skills, trauma, diversity and inclusion, and school readiness. They offer videos, games, and worksheets for children to explore, and free webinars for parents and educators.

sesamestreetincommunities.org
To view their additional toolkit: sesamestreet.org/toolkits

Sparks Parenting Videos for Parents & Text Updates on What to Expect at Doctor Visits

Created by Mount Sinai Parenting Center, Sparks is a parent video series for parents of children from birth through 5 years of age. Sparks provides information about safety, sleep, nutrition, parent-child bonding, development and growth. This information is available in Spanish as well. You can also sign up to receive these videos by text! Parents will receive automatic text updates with your next video link as your child grows.
Text SPARKS to (844) 650-1210
sparksvideoseries.com/watch-now

Transracial Journeys

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

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) IDEA

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.
osepideasthatwork.org

Zero to Three

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 what to expect as your child grows, how to deal with challenging behaviors, and evidence-based parenting practices.
(202) 638-1144
zerotothree.org


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