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Transition to Adult Health Care Resources

Bridges: For Young Adults Transitioning out of Foster Care

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.

  • Central Region: (614) 568-9428
    Counties:  Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Hardin, Hocking, Jackson, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, Ross, Union, Vinton
  • Northeast Region: (614) 490-4357
    Counties: Ashland, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Wayne
  • Northwest Region: (614) 655-8259
    Counties: Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, Wyandot
  • Southeast Region: (614) 869-3889
    Counties:  Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Tuscarawas, Washington
  • Southwest Region: (614) 568-6596
    Counties: Adams, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Miami, Montgomery, Pike, Preble, Scioto, Shelby, Warren

Apply Online Here: oca.socialsolutionsportal.com/apricot-intake/0d5dba79-b9fa-4ae6-9477-943ed3540ed0
Main Website: jfs.ohio.gov/child-and-adult-protection-foster-and-adoption/services-for-families-and-children/bridges/overview

Disability Rights Ohio

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

Finding an Adult Doctor in Columbus

Most pediatricians, including Nationwide Children’s Primary Care, see patients from birth to age 21. Once you turn 21, it will be time to transition to seeing a doctor who treats adults. Below are major Primary Care offices 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:

Got Transition? / Center for Health Care Transition Improvement

A national resource on center on transitioning from pediatric to adult health care. Visit the website for FAQs and transition readiness quizzes for young adults and parents/caregivers. Professionals can find resources for research and informational webinars on supporting patients.
gottransition.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) Transitional Care

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 support families with transitional care:

 

OSU Wexner Medical Center Teen Clinic

Serves: Young adults ages 12-21
The Teen Clinic provides preventive, medical, gynecological and psychological care for teens and young adults ages 12-21. They provide preventive, medical, gynecologic and psychological care. Services include physicals, contraception, STD/STI testing, vaccinations, mental health care, and more.
Outpatient Care East: 543 Taylor Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203
(614) 293-3552
wexnermedical.osu.edu/primary-care/teen-clinic

Transition Resources, Websites & Checklists

For Families:

Sample Letters for Providers:

Women’s Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI): Recommendations for Adult Well-Woman Health Care

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. The 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

Youth Navigator Network

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. No applications or documents are required, just 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

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