Serves: Children 16-30 months for diagnostic screening, Children ages 2-22, Parents, and Families.
Provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care focusing on evidence-based treatment, education, research and advocacy for children with the diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Services include diagnostic assessment, behavioral intervention, outpatient psychotherapy, complex behavior program, and community support services. Find details about services and eligibility online. They also host the following programs:
187 West Schrock Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081
For an Autism Diagnostic Screening: (614) 355-8080
For all other Autism resources: (614) 355-7570
nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/center-for-autism-spectrum-disorders
Helps veterans and people with disabilities find information, support, and referrals for disability-related services. They also provide adaptive equipment loans, peer support groups, living skills classes and transition services.
1829 East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 443-5936
mobileonline.org
Behavioral health intervention and treatment services for youth with emotional and behavioral challenges.
Program: Outpatient and inpatient services (home-based and school-based), telehealth, therapeutic preschools and after school programs, residential care, support for foster families, and specialized services for Hispanic/Latino children. Children with an autism diagnosis are eligible for outpatient mental health and play therapies.
Eligibility: Youth ages 3-18 years old.
Cost: Therapies can be billed to Medicaid and a variety of insurances.
Referral: Individuals may refer themselves or be referred by a physician or organization.
1490 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 252-0731 or (614) 824-5437
svfc.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, 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
Helps Franklin County residents find the right places to turn for low cost, alcohol, drug addiction and mental health services by overseeing more than 35 community agencies. These community agencies have a sliding fee scale for services, meaning any Franklin County resident can get needed services and be charged on the basis of income and circumstance. They have a list of support groups on their website as well.
447 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 224-1057
adamhfranklin.org
Provides a variety of social service programs to residents in Canal Winchester, those living in the Bloom Carroll School District, Lithopolis, and underserved rural areas of Fairfield County. Programs include a community food pantry, emergency assistance for rent/mortage or utilities, senior transportation and social programming, and child loss grief support group.
80 Covenant Way, Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110
(614) 834-4700
cwhumanservices.org
Non-profit providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge. Their website has helpful resources for those who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or old age. Contact their Caregiver Help Desk to get help finding information on navigating complex caregiving challenges.
Caregiver Help Desk: (855) 227-3640
Office Phone: (202) 454-3970
caregiveraction.org
Offers resources, information, programs and services for families with Down Syndrome in Central Ohio. They have several support groups for parents, counseling services, and a financial assistance program. They have regular events for all ages, such as play groups, arts and recreation, and virtual cooking classes for people with Down Syndrome. You can also request a hospital care package or new parent package for a family through their website.
510 East North Broadway, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 263-6020
dsaco.net
Hosts free monthly support groups for adoptive and foster parents and kinship caregivers, and also separate support groups for adult adoptees and foster care alum. Offers a monthly art studio for foster and adopted youth. Hosts monthly educational webinars for parents, professionals and adult adoptees / foster alum. Serves young adults beyond age 18 as well. Scholarships are available. They also provide coaching and counseling services.
122 South Terrace Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204
(502) 873-6723
encompassadoptees.org
Non-profit healthcare organization for visually impaired persons. Provides free tele-support groups, including groups for high school students with vision loss and for parents of those with vision loss. Groups meet weekly by phone to share experiences and discuss related topics. Lighthouse also has a Vision & Health Blog and podcast with helpful information, scholarships, and more.
(212) 769-6318
lighthouseguild.org
Community health and wellness center providing free holistic health and wellness programs for everyone, empowering individuals to embrace long-term health behavior changes in a safe, inclusive space. Programs include cooking and nutrition, community meetings, diabetes prevention, exercise classes, wellness and stress management, financial education, healthy babies, and mom support groups. Go online to find healthy recipes, program descriptions, and to register for a program.
(614) 234-4660
777 West State Street, Columbus, Ohio 43222
mountcarmelhealth.com/about-us/community-benefit/outreach-programs/healthy-living-center
Provides support, advocacy and education to improve the quality of life for people with mental illness. Use their website to find support groups, educational opportunities, and resource lists. The NAMI Franklin County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program is a police-based pre-arrest jail diversion program. Franklin County residents may call 9-1-1 and request a CIT officer who has received specialized training in mental health and substance abuse issues.
1225 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 501-6264
Information and Referral HelpLine: (800) 950-6264
namifranklincounty.org
NAMI Ohio: namiohio.org
A hospital-wide family-to-family (peer-to-peer) mentor program. Connecting Families reaches patients of all diagnoses to link them with a family who has been through a similar treatment paths or life situations.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-6747
nationwidechildrens.org/connecting-families
Support groups at NCH can connect you with other families and resources in your time of need. Call for more information about program specifics. Not all programs are listed online, call Case Management Team if you are interested in finding a group that suits your family’s needs.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
Case Management Team: (614) 722-6300
nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/support-groups
Ohio F2F staff are parents of children with special healthcare needs helping other parents. Family members of someone with a disability are matched to an experienced, trained support parent. They offer one to one support virtually and in-person, and hold training events for families and professionals.
(513) 803-5557
ohiof2f.org/ohiop2p
Provides free peer support groups remotely and in-person around Columbus, education on pregnancy and postpartum depression (PPD) and related mood/anxiety disorders, referrals to appropriate mental health resources and providers. The POEM Rise program provides services exclusively by and for Black mothers. The website also has helpful links to other Mental Health America services, such as pro bono counseling. Use the Event Calendar to find the next support group.
(614) 315-8989
mhafc.org/get-help/maternal-mental-health
A national organization that provides support for moms and dads experiencing postpartum depression or emotional problems. They do not offer medical advice or treatment. They have free, virtual parent support groups for moms, dads, family members, queer and trans parents, military parents, adoptive and birth mothers, postpartum psychosis, and those experiencing lost pregnancy of death of a child.
Helpline: Call or text HELP to (800) 944-4773
Text en Español: 971-203-7773
Mental Health Emergency Line: (800) 273-8255
postpartum.net
A community of caregivers supporting other caregivers. They provide Facebook support groups for any and all people supporting the mental and/or physical health of another person. They offer topic-specific groups such as LGBTQIA+ caregivers, parents of children with disabilities or chronic illness, young caregivers, and more.
thecaregiverspace.org
facebook.com/TheCaregiverSpace
Serves: Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers of special-needs children.
Nonprofit operating in Central Ohio including Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison, and Union Counties, supporting the needs of caregivers. They host fun events and gatherings for caregivers and provide financial assistance through grants that can be used towards their own school, medical needs, self-care, housecleaning, and more. Contact them online.
themothershipinc.com
Nonprofit working to raise awareness, advance research, and provide support to patients and families impacted by Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders. Find health information for kids, families, and professionals, toolkits on topics like bullying and transition to adult care, online events, and information on research and clinical trials. They also have online support groups for parents, teens, LGBTQ+, and Spanish-speaking community members.
42-40 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, New York 11361
(888) 486-8738
tourette.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
Offers a variety of services including early childhood center, after-school and summer programs, sports and exercise programs, free health clinic, free legal clinic, food pantry, and immigration counseling services (DACA). Other programs include daytime and evening GED prep classes, English as a Second Language (ESL), programs for homeschoolers, men’s and women’s support and recovery groups, marriage and parenting programs, financial counseling, mental health counseling, career development services, dance, art, and music classes.
6000 Cooper Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081
(614) 259-5238
vineyardcommunitycenter.org