Columbus OH
Print This Page

Parenting & Special Needs

Caregiver Action Network

Contact their Caregiver Help Desk to get help finding information on navigating complex caregiving challenges. Their website also provide helpful resources to support family caregivers.
Caregiver Help Desk: (855) 227-3640
caregiveraction.org

Center for Parent Information & Resources (CPIR)

Provides information to help parents in caring for their child with a disability. They have information about pertinent laws, how to find needed services, sibling issues, resources in Ohio and more. CPIR is a port of the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN).
35 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102
(973) 642-8100
parentcenterhub.org

Columbus City Schools (CCS) Parent Mentor Program

Parent Mentors are parents of special needs children and they have experience in obtaining special educational services for students and their families. Parents of children with special needs can expect the support of their Parent Mentor before, during and after the IEP process, as well as direct them to community agencies for other assistance and resources.
2571 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43202
(614) 927-6277
ccsoh.us/Page/1222

Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO)

Offers resources, information, programs and services for families in central Ohio. They also have a helpline and numerous support groups for parents.
510 East North Broadway, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 263-6020
dsaco.net

Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities (FCBDD)

Services are provided for children from birth to age 21 who have developmental delays and disabilities. Services include early childhood education and home-based services, developmental evaluations, early intervention services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and more. A Major Unusual Incident (MUI) is defined as any alleged, suspected, or actual occurrence of an incident that adversely affects the health and welfare of an individual receiving services from the County Board. The FCBDD MUI Unit investigates all MUIs and ensures that immediate actions are taken to protect individuals from harm.
2879 Johnstown Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 475-6440
24-hour Emergency Major Unusual Incidents (MUI) Reporting: (614) 464-2743
fcbdd.org
FCBDD Location Directory: fcbdd.org/about-us/directory

Marburn Academy

Provides schooling for students in grades 1-12 with learning difficulties, such as ADHD and dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. They also offer free parent seminars, free early reading screenings, assessment, private tutoring and summer school. Financial aid and tuition loan programs are available.
9555 Johnstown Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054
(614) 433-0822
marburnacademy.org

Medical Home Portal

Assists and supports professionals and families in working together to care and advocate for all youth with special health care needs. The portal provides reliable and useful information about specific conditions and caring for them and knowledge of valuable local and national services and resources. Visit the website for contact information.
medicalhomeportal.org/diagnoses-and-conditions

Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Education Classes

Offers a range of free and low cost classes for children, teens, adults and parents of infants and kids of all ages and abilities. Find courses on everything from babysitting and parenting to CPR training, autism and diabetes. Example classes include:

  • Active Parenting
  • Adoption Academy – collaboration with Family & Youth Law Center to provide in-depth classes on foreign and domestic adoptions
  • ADHD Academy – for parents or caregivers of children with ADD/ADHD
  • Autism Academy – topic specific programs for parents and educators
  • Autism Teaching Strategies – for teachers
  • Basic Babysitter Training Class
  • Community Education for Diabetes
  • Parenting Your Child With Autism – for parents
  • Sibshops – for brothers and sisters of children with autism

700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 355-0662
nationwidechildrens.org/education-classes
Family and Youth Law Center (Adoption Academy): familyyouthlaw.org/academy.php

Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)

Provides information and resources for parents of children with disabilities. Parents can call to get one-on-one assistance.
125 Executive Drive, Marion, Ohio 43302
(844) 382-5452
ocecd.org

Ohio Family 2 Family (Ohio F2F)

Ohio F2F staff are parents of children with special healthcare needs helping other parents.  We offer one-on-one support through information and referrals, and hold training events for families and professionals.  We are an affiliate of the national organization Family Voices. Visit the website for additional contact information.
ohiof2f.org

Parent Mentor of Ohio

Parent mentors are parents of children with special needs who work in the schools throughout Ohio to provide families information and support. They help families, free of charge, work together with school personnel and help parents find the help they need. Call or go online to find out if there is a parent mentor at your school.
165 West Center Street, Marion, Ohio 43302
(844) 382-5452
ocecd.org/ParentMentorsofOhio.aspx
sst11.org/ParentMentors.aspx

Prenatal & Postnatal Down Syndrome Resources

Provides information about Down syndrome and other prenatally-diagnosed conditions for expectant parents and new parents through three different resources.

Red Treehouse

This 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.
10415 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
redtreehouse.org

Sesame Street in the Communities

Offers providers and parents resources to help children thrive and deal with some common issues that affect children’s lives. Explore topics related to health and wellness, social-emotional skills, and school readiness.

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

St. Vincent Family Center (SVFC)

Provides behavioral health intervention and treatment services to 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, and support for foster families. They provide specialized services to Hispanic / Latino children.
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

Grief Program: offers a 6-session virtual series of grief education and skill-building groups delivered by their Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants. Activities, books and supplies are provided free of charge by SVFS.
Eligibility: youth ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers who have experienced grief due to the death of an important person or pet
Cost: FREE to families
1490 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 252-0731 or (614) 824-5437, ask for Intake
svfc.org

The Caregiver Space

Offers online support to parents and other caregivers by providing an atmosphere of understanding, sharing and helping others who need support while facing the challenges of caring for an ill child, a special needs child or the needs of other dependents. Join a community that encourages each other through caring, comfort, relief and tools to help a caregiver recognize self-care.
31 West Twenty-First Street, New York, New York 10010
(855) 522-5524
thecaregiverspace.org

The Mother Ship

Provides social, emotional, and community supports to mothers of children with special needs in the Central Ohio area. They do not provide counseling or other health care services, nor do they provide referral services, but they do provide a caregiver respite (rest) fund that people may apply for. Visit the website for contact information.
themothershipinc.com


Print This Page