Columbus OH
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Columbus OH
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Children Affected by Parental Incarceration

Alvis

Offers supportive services to adults and families involved in the criminal justice system. Referrals are required to receive services. Call for details.

  • Reentry Services: Helps people transitioning from the corrections system back into the community. Services include cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) at their residential reentry center, alcohol and drug addiction treatment, workforce development, case management, mentoring, housing assistance, and links to community services and support. Includes Amethyst program for women with children overcoming drug or alcohol dependance.
  • Behavioral Healthcare: Offers traditional and intensive outpatient therapy and psychiatry, substance abuse treatment, job readiness, and trauma treatment.
  • Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Services: Includes residential care, behavioral intervention, vocational/job readiness skills training and supported living.
  • Family & Children’s Program: Supports children whose parents are justice-system-involved or suffering from substance abuse. Offers parenting programs, developmental assessments, critical needs free pantry, clinical services for children, and reunification activities.

2100 Stella Court, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 252-8402
alvis180.org

Central Ohio Youth for Christ (COYFC) (Includes Gracehaven and Wellspring Counseling)

A faith-based organization that offers free programs for youth through partnerships with local churches. Programs include:

  • City Life: Offers free group meetings, mentoring relationships, free childcare and other support for teen moms, job and life skills training and financial literacy for teens in Reynoldsburg and Franklinton.
  • Equip Skills Center: Teaches teens how to perform automobile maintenance and repairs. Donated cars are repaired under the supervision of a certified mechanic.
    (614) 237-7300
  • Point Break: A day-long anti-bullying seminars for area high schools. This evidence-based program helps teens develop compassion for each other.
  • Juvenile Justice Ministries: Offers spiritual counseling sessions and small interactive chapel services for incarcerated youth at multiple juvenile detention centers. Connects teens who have been released with mentors and peer groups.
  • Deaf Teen Quest: Fellowship groups for teens who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Gracehaven: Services for trafficked and exploited youth include a therapeutic group home, case management, and mentoring.
    (614) 665-0665
  • Parent Life: Connects expectant and parenting teens with adult volunteers and community partners for help with parenting skills, childcare, transportation, mentoring, and more.
  • Wellspring Counseling: Provides low-cost counseling at several Columbus locations. Their licensed counselors provide clinical individual and family counseling, psychological assessments, and referrals to community services for ages 5 and older. No psychiatry or medication management services. They accept private insurance or self-pay with sliding scale fees.
    1335 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215
    (614) 538-0353

PO Box 14804, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 848-4870
coyfc.org

Columbus Urban League (CUL)

A community‐based organization that works to empower Black and urban communities through economic, educational and social progress with programs, classes and services. Their many programs include:

  • Career Services: Provides comprehensive support for job seekers, including workforce readiness training for ages 14-19 and individual coaching for all ages.
  • Re-Entry HUB: Reentry support and workforce development for individuals with prior justice system involvement.
  • Minority Business Assistance Center: Empowering small and minority businesses through access to capital, technical and professional assistance. These services are available in 18 Ohio counties.
    (614) 266-0897
  • I Am My Brother’s Keeper: Mentorship program for young men of color in middle and high school throughout the school year and summer. The program offers safe and healthy ways to have fun while building career, artistic, academic, professional, and physical strengths. Participants may be placed with internships, hands-on learning experiences, drug, alcohol and violence prevention activities depending on their individual needs. Participants must be ages 9-15 whose families meet income eligibility. Call for enrollment.
  • Homebuyer Education: Educates families on how to budget, save, and improve credit to qualify for home loans.
  • Housing Accelerator: Eligible participants receive financial assistance for housing deposit, financial coaching to increase credit scores, and increased access to job opportunities.
  • My Brother’s Closet: Provides a free suit and professional coaching for income-eligible men. Call to make an appointment.
  • STEP: An 8-week intervention program for families with children 11-17 years old on the cusp of entering the justice system.
  • Young Engineer’s Society: Afterschool and summer STEAM program for ages 10-14
    3443 Agler Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219
    (380) 239-1474
  • Find all programs by category here: www.cul.org/our-initiatives/#all-initiatives

788 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 257-6300
cul.org

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Chapter Youth Initiatives

Offers programming for youth ages 11-18 focused on leadership training, mentorship, and empowerment. The sessions are comprised of fun, interactive, educational and community service activities. The activities are a 9-month commitment. They also offer college scholarships for graduating high school seniors. Participants must be interested in college or other career options, and demonstrate a need for mentorship and support.
P.O. Box 163304, Columbus, Ohio 43216
(614) 470-1913
columbusohdeltas.org/youthapplications

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Division of Domestic Relations & Juvenile Branch

Handles all domestic relations matters, including protection for victims of domestic violence, for juvenile citizens. They offer a variety of mediation services to help settle matters without a full legal trial, Civil Protection Orders (CPO’s) / Juvenile Protection Orders (JPO’s), interpreters, Self Represented Resource Center (SRRC) for those who do not have the financial resources to retain private counsel, and more. Their Youth Education and Intervention Services Department works to divert youth from further involvement with the Juvenile Justice System through prevention, intervention and treatment services. Go online to find program details, FAQs, and legal forms.
373 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone Directory: drj.fccourts.org/DRJ.aspx?PN=Quick_Phone_Directory.htm
drj.fccourts.org

Franklin County Municipal Court Self-Help Center

Provides information about civil claims in Franklin County Municipal Court for issues such as record sealing / expungement, landlord / tenant issues, creditor / debtor issues and general claims. They offer a free walk-in service to help individuals represent themselves in court without a lawyer. Staff cannot offer legal advice but can help with finding resources and legal information, such as help completing court forms or answers to general questions. The Center is open to the public on a walk-in basis with no appointment necessary.
375 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-8214
municipalcourt.franklincountyohio.gov

Franklin County One Door

This office offers a one-stop shop for Franklin County residents to get help from multiple health and human services agencies. Residents can get help signing up for food, childcare, and medical assistance; child support, kinship resources, re-entry support, mental health and addiction services, and help linking with additional community resources. The office is open for in-person walk-ins Monday through Friday.
369 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
franklincountyohio.gov/Resident-Services/One-Door-Services

Franklin County Reentry Advisory Board (FC-RAB)

Provides resources for those transitioning from correctional and rehabilitative institutions back into the community. The website has information on document/identification assistance, job opportunities, public assistance benefits, mental health and addiction programs, clothing assistance, housing/shelter and more. Franklin County First Step provides in-person help the first Friday of every month to help fill in gaps for restored citizens. Visit to get help with record expungement, intakes and appointments for services, and access to additional resources.
FC-RAB Office: 373 South High Street, 25th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 525-5577
reentry.franklincountyohio.gov
Franklin County First Step: 1111 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
reentry.franklincountyohio.gov/Community-Information/Franklin-County-First-Step

Franklin County TAP IN Center

Offers help for Franklin County residents with outstanding low-level, non-violent misdemeanor warrants. Non-violent misdemeanors may include theft, criminal trespass, drug offenses, soliciting, or driving offenses. Staff assist in recalling and rescheduling legal cases without the need for arrest. Appointments are required, call to schedule.
(614) 525-4488
TAP IN Website: franklincountytapincenter.my.canva.site
Franklin County Justice Policy Website: franklincountyohio.gov/Agency-Directory/Justice-Policy-Programs

Halt Violence

Non-profit offering mediation, violence intervention services, and mentorship. Develops healthy conflict resolution styles and productive work skills for youth and adults with a history of violent behavior or previous incarceration. If you or someone you know has a problem or conflict in your community that could result in unnecessary violence, call them to see if they can help. They also provide housing assistance for adults who are employed and have a felony criminal record.
East Columbus: 923 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
West/Hilltop: 2360 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43204
(614) 302-1640
haltviolence.org

KidsMates

Raises awareness for children impacted by parental incarceration. Visit their website for information and resources on how parental incarceration impacts child health, and to find programs for kids impacted by incarceration.
kidsmates.org

Licking County Coalition for Housing (LCCH)

A one-stop shop for housing resources in Licking County. Programs include transitional housing, rapid rehousing, help finding affordable housing, supportive services for veterans, and housing assistance for those recently released from a State of Ohio prison. Project Homeline is a homeless prevention program for families and individuals to receive one-on-one with a homeless prevention specialist, access case management services, and financial assistance. Their website has many resources for basic needs, healthcare, housing issues, and legal issues in Licking County. Call to schedule an appointment and confirm what paperwork you need to bring to the appointment.
23 South Park Place, Newark, Ohio 43055
(740) 345-1970
lcchousing.org

Lower Lights Ministries (LLM)

A faith-based organization serving individuals and families in Columbus. Transitional housing is available for previously incarcerated women, low-income families and individuals, and women struggling with substance use. The adult mentorship program includes a weekly hot meal, job and finance mentoring, life coaching, and supportive services. Lower Lights Salon hosts free haircut events, and work training for women who have experienced addiction or incarceration. The church also offers a free, weekly family-style meal. Programs for youth include individual mentoring for at-risk youth ages 7-17, after school programs at the Community Learning Center, summer day camp program, and child care services for ages 2.5-5 at the Child Enrichment Center.

Lower Lights Community Church & Free Meals Website: lowerlightschurch.org/saturday-family-meal
Lower Lights Ministries Website: lowerlights.org/home

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction (ODRC) Reentry Resource Center

Office supporting formerly incarcerated persons in Ohio. Visit the website for information on correctional facilities and visiting hours; victim services and offender search; parole, and reentry services across the state.
4545 Fisher Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228
(614) 387-0588
drc.ohio.gov

Put Me In

Provides financial aid to cover the cost of athletics for children of incarcerated parents. Financial aid is provided in the form of recurring grants of $1,000 per year to cover the costs of equipment, participation fees, or other costs directly associated with participation in sports. Grants can be awarded while a child is in middle school and renew each year through high school. Families can easily access and manage their funds through the website and caregiver mobile app. Visit the website and email the organization directly to get started with the application process. Their website also has a helpful resource library.
putmein.org

Sesame Street in the Communities

Provides fun and educational resources for families from the child educators behind the Sesame Street show. Topics range from ABCs & 123s to tough topics that affect children’s lives; including health and wellness, social-emotional skills, trauma, race, grief, and more. They offer free videos, games, and worksheets for children to explore; and resources for parents and educators.

Sesame Workshop Resources for Families Website: sesameworkshop.org/resources
Kids’ Website: sesamestreet.org/home

The Village Network

Program: Provides trauma-informed behavioral health services for youth and families in Ohio and West Virginia. Outpatient services include Parent/Child Interaction Therapy, Intensive Home-Based Treatment, Nonresidential Day Treatment for Ages 7-18, and wraparound programs for youth in Juvenile Court. Residential Treatment is available for boys and girls ages 10+ with complex needs such as mental health crisis, complex trauma, or sexual behavior problems. They offer foster parent training, Treatment Foster Care, and support for Kinship placements. The Family Services program provides case management for families referred by Franklin County Children Services.
Eligibility: Ages 0-21, Eligibility varies based on program.
Cost: Government insurance (Medicaid, Molina, Caresource), Private/Commercial insurance, Self-pay (sliding fee scale available for those without insurance).
Referral: Individuals may refer themselves, be referred through the court system, or by an organization depending on the program.
Columbus Location: 1751 East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203
All Locations: thevillagenetwork.org/about/locations
General Questions: (800) 638-3232
Intake: (330) 202-3969
thevillagenetwork.org

Think Make Live Youth

Empowers youth in Columbus through equity and justice, bridge building, empowerment, belonging and fun. Programs include Guns DOWN group for ages 13-24 and Unleashing Potential for ages 18-24 navigating the criminal justice system. The Guns DOWN group meets weekly at multiple locations across Columbus and provides teens with opportunities to learn, talk, and have fun while accessing resources like job opportunities, conflict resolution, and more.
(614) 259-7226
tmlyouth.org

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