Columbus OH
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Family & Support Services for Kids with Disabilities

Caregiver Action Network

Offers 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 for help finding information on navigating complex caregiving challenges.
Caregiver Help Desk: (855) 227-3640
caregiveraction.org

Center for Parent Information & Resources (CPIR)

Provides a “Parent Center Hub” with information to help parents in caring for their child with a disability, which includes fact sheets, training materials, explanations of early intervention and special education; IFSP, IEP, and transition planning; webinars on priority topics (such as early learning, assessments; and self-advocacy skill building); and much more. They also have virtual parent support communities.
(973) 642-8100
parentcenterhub.org

Easterseals Central & Southeast Ohio

Serves: Children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Provides comprehensive health services for children and adults living with disabilities. Services include early childhood education, adult day services, in-home care, referral services, and outpatient therapies. They also offer afterschool programs and summer day camps for children.
3830 Trueman Court, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
(614) 228-5523
easterseals.com/centralohio

Empower Behavioral Health & Intervention (formerly Haugland Therapy Services)

Services: Autism diagnostic assessment, ABA therapy, Occupation therapy (OT), Speech therapy, IEP services/school consultation, transition services, parent and teacher training, mental health services.
Eligibility: Diagnostic testing for children up to age 4. Therapy services for individuals Ages 2-21 with autism or developmental disabilities. Serves families in Columbus and Sandusky, Ohio.
Cost: Accepts Private insurance, Medicaid, and Autism Scholarship funds.
Main Office: 2540 Billingsley Road, Columbus, Ohio 43235
(614) 470-2018
empowercenters.com

Family Resource Network of Ohio (FRNO)

Provides resources, tools, and trainings to help individuals and families of individuals with developmental disabilities. Their website has database of programs and organizations across Ohio for helpful products, therapy, schools, legal help, clinical trials, and more. They use Charting the LifeCourse principals to help individuals and families of all abilities and ages develop a vision for a good life, and regular LifeCourse trainings are available for families and professionals.
The Ohio State University Nisonger Center
1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210
Family Resource Coordinator: (614) 293-2134
Family Support Coordinator: (513) 636-4723
frnohio.org

Franklin County Office on Aging Caregiver & Kinship Support Program

Kinship Support Program: For kinship caregivers aged 55+ in Franklin County who are caring for children from birth to age 17 (18 if enrolled in high school). They offer assistance with appliances, caregiver counseling, diapers, infant cribs, mattresses, pull-ups and wipes, utility assistance, and rent assistance. Assistance is based on funding at time of referral.
Caregiver Support Program: For non-paid caregivers of adults aged 60+ with a demonstrate need for home assistance, or non-paid relatives aged 55+ caring for an adult with a disability who demonstrates a need for home assistance. Services include adult day services, caregiver counseling, appliances, medical and adaptive equipment, mattresses, utility assistance, and rent assistance. Assistance is based on funding at time of referral.
The Office on Aging: Provides additional services like home-delivered meals, adult day services, minor home repair, and more for any adult in Franklin County age 60+.
280 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 525-6200
franklincountyohio.gov/Resident-Services/Seniors/Caregiver-and-Kinship-Support

Friendship Circle Columbus

Teen and young-adult volunteers are paired with children with disabilities and their families to participate in one-on-one and group activities. Parents and families get respite as well as the opportunity to socialize with other families. Learn more and sign up on their website.
6220 East Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054
(614) 570-4014
friendscolumbus.com

Mid-Ohio Board for an Independent Living Environment (MOBILE)

Empowers and advocates for individuals and veterans with disabilities. Services include referrals to community organizations and service providers, peer support, living skills classes, and transition services for youth or individuals transitioning to community-based residences. The Equipment Loan Program offers medical equipment and assistive devices. Visit the website to request an appointment for services.
1829 East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 443-5936
mobileonline.org

Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Big Lots Behavioral Health Services & Community Resource Directory

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

Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD)

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, and ABA team services. Find details about services and eligibility online. They also host the following programs:

  • Project SEARCH: 9-month workplace internship for Central Ohio students in their last year of high school who have Autism and/or Intellectual Disability with Complex Social and Communication Needs.
  • Triple P Stepping Stones: Individual or group classes for parents with children under 12 years old struggling with emotional and behavioral challenges of ASD.
  • Sibshops: Siblings of children with autism and other developmental delays (ages 6 to 12) participate in fun activities to explore feelings and better understand their sibling.
  • Adolescent Transition Programs: Includes Camp RISE summer program, CARE coping and relaxation group, iWork summer job skills program, and Social Skills Group.
  • Complex Behavior Program: Teaches effective strategies for parents to help reduce dangerous or problematic behavior patterns, and build coping skills.

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

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. Visit the website for a full list of classes. Some classes offered are:

  • 1234 Parents: For parents of children 1-4 years old.
  • Active Parenting: For parents of children 5-12 years old.
  • Adoption Academy: A 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.
  • Basic Babysitter Training Class: Ages 11+ can learn babysitting basics and receive a certificate of completion at multiple locations in the Columbus area.
  • CPR: Adult/Infant/Child CPR certification for ages 11+.
  • Sibshops: For brothers and sisters of children with autism, ages 6-12.
  • Project ECHO: For healthcare providers and parents on a wide range of topics including Autism, Behavior Management, Asthma, and more.

700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 355-0662
nationwidechildrens.org/education-classes

Nemours KidsHealth and TeensHealth

This website offers a lot of important health information for kids, teens, and their parents. Kids can find fun videos on how the body works and approachable answers to questions like, how do casts work? The teen website covers topics like depression, sexual health, smoking, coping with cliques, binge drinking, body image and much more. Parents can find medically-reviewed articles on how vaccines work, how to choose a car seat, developmental milestones, supporting kids’ emotional wellbeing, healthy eating, and more. Educators can also find free health-related lesson plans for PreK-12.
Kids: kidshealth.org/en/kids
Teens: kidshealth.org/en/teens
Parents: kidshealth.org/en/parents

Ohio Departments and County Boards of Developmental Disabilities

The Department of Developmental Disabilities is a statewide system of supports and services for people with developmental disabilities, and their families. Each county in Ohio has its own Board of Developmental Disabilities, which is the place to start for determining eligibility, assessing your needs, and coordinating which services can best support you. Their offices can help you with early intervention programs, healthcare services, waivers and scholarships, job training and employment, unusual incident reporting, and more.

Ohio Family 2 Family (F2F) / Parent 2 Parent (P2P)

A statewide parent support program for parents, siblings, self-advocates, foster parents, grandparents, etc. who have a family member of any age with a disability or special healthcare need. They are staffed by family members of a person with a disability of special healthcare need. Support is provided via email, phone, video call, and/or in-person. Family members may reach out to learn more about assessments and treatments, to talk through barriers and navigating service systems, transition advice, and general support. Ohio F2F also offers training opportunities for families and professionals. Visit the website or call to request support.
(513) 803-5557
ohiof2f.org/ohiop2p

Parent & Caregiver Support Group – for Developmental Delays & Disabilities

A community support group for parents and caregivers of children with developmental delays and disabilities. The group is run by parents in collaboration with Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities (FCBDD). They meet bi-weekly at Columbus Metropolitan Library Whetstone Branch. There is no cost or commitment required to join. Visit the Facebook group for details.
facebook.com/groups/778138544894818

Parent Mentor of Ohio

Parent Mentors are parents of children with disabilities trained to provide support to other families of children with disabilities. Parent Mentors can connect families to appropriate programs, navigate special education services and attend IEP meetings, and provide free guidance for families. Use the website to find a Parent Mentor near you. The website also has great resources for parents on IEPs, legal rights, transition, and more.
1900 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 247-9982
parentmentor.osu.edu

Red Treehouse

Online resource directory supporting families and children with life challenges, disabilities, and healthcare needs from prenatal to age 25. The website helps families find resources such as special education, legal support, financial support for rare diseases, and more. Users can search for resources by need or medical condition.
redtreehouse.org

Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living (SOCIL)

Assists people of all ages with disabilities to live more independently. The majority of their board and staff are people with disabilities assisting others. They provide information and referrals for housing, education, transportation, benefits, and other community resources. The Assistive Technology program loans eating utensils, screen readers, magnifiers, autism sensory items, and more. They also offer free group living skills classes and support for youth with IEPs. Call to report ADA violations in Fairfield and Hocking counties.
Fairfield County: 418 South Broad Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
Hocking County: 96 West Hunter Street, Logan, Ohio 43138
(740) 689-1494
socil.org

The Arc of Ohio

Advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities in Ohio through legislative action, education, local chapter support, and family involvement. Families can call for a Family Advocate to help navigate the disability system and answer questions on everything from waivers to guardianship, transition services, county boards, the appeal process, and much more. The Family Choice Program is a self-directed program for individuals and families to access in-home coordination of services through SELF, Level 1, and IO waivers. They can also help families get assistive technology such as communication devices, sensory items, and home safety devices. The website has many helpful resources for families on IEP help, Medicaid, Scholarship information, and much more.
1335 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 487-4720
thearcofohio.org

The Caregiver Space

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, estrangement, navigating care, and more.
thecaregiverspace.org

The Center for Disability Empowerment (CDE)

A community based, non-residential center for independent living. They serve individuals of any age with any disability living in Franklin, Delaware, Union, or Licking County. They develop individualized Independent Living Plans for each individual to support them in reaching their goals. Services include peer mentoring, transportation, help with housing, employment, and benefits. Empower Youth is a virtual support group for ages 14-24.
4400 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 575-8055
disabilityempowerment.net

The Infinity Experience

An inclusive barbershop experience for children with neurodivergence, intellectual, physical or developmental disabilities. Youth from toddlers to age 17 can receive free hair cutting services in a welcoming environment. Services are donation-based and are free for participating families. Visit the website to request an appointment or make a donation.
2410 Home Acre Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43231
smoothvisionarykutz.com

The Mother Ship

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

WonderBaby.org

Resource center and blog dedicated to helping parents of young children with visual impairments, and children with multiple disabilities. The website was started by a Mom looking for resources, and now hosts articles written by experts and parents on topics such as; fostering your child’s development, choosing appropriate toys and technologies, pregnancy and breastfeeding help, and more.
wonderbaby.org

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