A voluntary program for young adults who left foster care in Ohio at age 18-21 and who are in school, working, participating in an employment program, or have a medical condition that prevents them from going to school or working. Participants are matched with a Bridges Liaison who can help with setting goals and accessing services, such as help with housing, education, employment, and well-being. Liaisons work with participants to meet their unique, individual needs as they transition to adulthood. Fill out the online application or call your region’s office.
Apply online here: oca.socialsolutionsportal.com/apricot-intake/0d5dba79-b9fa-4ae6-9477-943ed3540ed0
Main/Informational Website: jfs.ohio.gov/child-and-adult-protection-foster-and-adoption/services-for-families-and-children/bridges/overview
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
Most pediatricians, including Nationwide Children’s Primary Care, see patients from birth to age 21. That means, once you turn 21, it will be time to graduate to seeing a doctor who sees adults. Below are Primary Care offices for each of the adult hospitals in the Columbus area. Their websites have tools for you to browse providers accepting new patients, find locations near you, and request an appointment online. You can also call a clinic location or central scheduling line for help.
Find additional transition resources on our website here:
Works with youth who have special needs and their families along with their health care providers to provide support while transitioning into adulthood. They offer guidance as many of the youth are seeking out health care or learning to manage their own health care independently.
gottransition.org
Offers inpatient, outpatient, and community-based psychiatry, psychology, and counseling services for youth up to age 21. Treatment areas include mental health crisis, anxiety, ADHD, depression, eating disorders, OCD, ODD, conduct disorders, autism, and psychosis. Use the online Community Behavioral Health Resource Directory to find treatment providers and community resources across Ohio by diagnosis, type of service, organization name, or county.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 355-8080
nationwidechildrens.org/behavioral-health
Teenagers face many confusing life transitions, including transitioning from pediatric care to adult healthcare. This transition is especially important for individuals with chronic health conditions. NCH has several programs to help educate and support families with transitional care:
The website provides information to help prepare for teens transitioning to adult health care.
kidshealth.org/en/teens/center/medical-care-center.html
This website has a lot of information for teens that covers various health topics such as depression, relationships, staying safe, sexual health, smoking, coping with cliques, binge drinking, dealing with an alcoholic parent, marijuana use, body image and much more. There is also information for parents and educators.
kidshealth.org/en/teens
Serves: Infants, school-aged children, teens, and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
The Nisonger Center has a variety of programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. Services include clinical support services, specialized dental programs, inclusive childcare and early childhood education, social programs for teens, TOPS post-secondary education and transitional skills program for adult students at OSU, psychiatric services, and more. They accept all major insurances, Medicaid, Board of DD Waivers, and offer a sliding scale for payment. Scholarships and fee arrangements are available for some programs. Contact the center for program details and eligibility.
1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210
Administration: (614) 685-3192 or (855) 983-9955
nisonger.osu.edu
Connects individuals with disabilities to community resources, advocates for inclusive public policy, and provides training opportunities for professionals. They publish an Autism parent guide that includes topics such as screening and diagnosis, accessing educational services, and future planning. Their website has many helpful resources, including the Autism Center, Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness, Lifespan Transitions, Assistive Technology, Teaching Diverse Learners, Family and Community Outreach, and Young Child Center.
470 Glenmont Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 410-0321
OCALI Contact Directory: ocali.org/project/learn_about_OCALI/page/contact_OCALI
ocali.org
Serves: Young adults ages 12-21
The Teen Clinic provides preventive, medical, gynecological and psychological care for young adults ages 12-21. Patients can continue with their doctors for primary healthcare needs even as they transition to adulthood. Services include physicals, contraception, STD/STI testing, vaccinations, and more.
543 Taylor Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203
(614) 293-5123
wexnermedical.osu.edu/primary-care/teen-clinic
Children with autism or other developmental disabilities may require extra time to learn and prepare for the physical, social, and emotional changes that occur during puberty. Being proactive in these discussions can decrease the likelihood of inappropriate sexual expression, increase safety, and help children foster a healthy relationship with their bodies. Use the free, downloadable toolkits below to get started.
Serves: Transition-age-youth and Adults with autism ages 18-26.
Offers clinical services for patients with autism to access comprehensive care for complex health care needs. Services include: primary care with experienced physicians, medical assistants, nurses and social workers, clinical pharmacy consultation for medication questions and medication monitoring, in-office lab, procedural care, and help transitioning to adult services.
OSU Wexner Medical Center Internal Medicine & Pediatrics
3691 Ridge Mill Drive, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
(614) 688-9220
wexnermedical.osu.edu/primary-care/adult-autism-center
A federally supported program led by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the WPSI’s mission is to improve adult women’s health across the lifespan. Their Well-Woman Chart (in English and Spanish) lists recommendations for women’s health care, including screening, evaluation of health risks and needs, counseling, and immunizations. The recommended preventive services have been developed by the WPSI, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), and Bright Futures based on age, health status, and risk factors. Go online to find these health recommendations and to sign up for their newsletter.
womenspreventivehealth.org/wellwomanchart
Offers free services for youth and young adults up to 23 years old who have had an open case with Children Services, have lived in a group home, have been in foster care, or have aged out of care. YNN Navigators work with clients one-on-one to connect them to important resources such as food and shelter, healthcare, education, parenting help, legal help, job services, and more. Flex Funds are available for those age 21-22 that have aged out of foster care, for one-time help paying for needs like housing, work uniforms, application fees, textbooks, and more. Text, call, or go online to connect with a YNN Navigator.
Ohio Department of Children & Youth
246 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Text (740) 639-5252
Call (833) 644-6966
ynn.ohio.gov