Columbus Cooling Stations & Resources to Beat the Heat!

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Central Ohio 11AM to 8PM Tuesday, July 29. Check out the resources below to beat the heat!
An Air Quality Alert has also been issued for Franklin County for Wednesday, July 30.

Cooling Centers & Timely Programs

Columbus Metropolitan Libraries
All 23 locations are open until 8 or 9PM Monday-Thursday. They offer AC, comfortable seating, public computers with Internet access, free Wi-Fi, and tons of great reading material. Participate in the Summer Reading Challenge to win prizes.
Locations: columbuslibrary.org/library-locations
More Library Programs: cap4kids.org/columbus/columbus-metropolitan-library

COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) – Free Fare
All transit is free throughout all days with heat advisories.
Fare Announcement: cota.com/blog/cota-announces-no-fares-for-tuesday-july-29-after-national-weather-service-issues-heat-advisory
More COTA Programs: cap4kids.org/columbus/cota

Helpful Links

Sign Up for Extreme Weather & Air Alerts from MORPC
Extreme Heat Safety Tips from Ohio Emergency Management Agency
Understanding Heat Watch vs. Warning Alerts from National Weather Service
Extreme Heat: Tips to Keep Kids Safe When Temperatures Soar from AAP
Prevent Child Deaths in Hot Cars from AAP
Symptoms of Heat Related Illness from CDC
Heat-Related Illness and Psychiatric Medications from ODMHA (Updated 2025)
Free Box Fans for Franklin County Seniors
Free Box Fans from LifeCare Alliance for Seniors & those with chronic illness

More Fun OUT of the Sun!

CAP4Kids List of Upcoming Free & Fun Family Events and Resources
Free Summer Movies at Lennox 24 Phoenix Theater
FunBox Bounce Park at Polaris Fashion Place ($20 Day Pass)
Kids Bowl Free All Summer
Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass
Indoor Play Places for Kids in Columbus
Sesame Street At-Home Activities

Winter Warming Centers & Safety (2025)

Click the links below to access information on Warming Centers and other important resources for winter weather.

Columbus Winter Warming Centers

• List of  Columbus Warming Centers from the Community Shelter Board
• Warming Centers Online Interactive Map: Search by address

Essential Resources

• COTA Bus Rides are Free on days with cold advisory or warning
• Ohio Food Pantries by Zip Code
• AEP Ohio Outage Map
• Columbus Warrior Watch: See when roads in your neighborhood will be plowed
• GasBuddy: Search for cheapest gas prices near you
• Columbus Street Card: Resources for people experiencing homelessness
• Free Home Weatherization Services for Income-Eligible Households in Franklin County
• Ohio Energy Assistance/Utility Help Programs
• CAP4Kids Food Resource List
• CAP4Kids Clothing & Hygiene Items Resource List

Winter Safety

• National Weather Service – Weather forecasts and safety information
• Winter Weather Preparedness – from Ready.gov
• Playing Outside in Winter: Keeping Kids Safe – from Healthychildren.org/American Academy of Pediatrics
• Cold Weather Safety Tips – Weather.gov
• How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Weather – from Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety

Opportunities for Professionals

Events & Trainings

Scroll down for free & low-cost events and training opportunities for the professionals supporting our patients and families, including: social workers and mental health professionals, healthcare providers and clinical staff, educators, administrators, and community organizers. Click on the links for event and registration details.

• Thursday, Dec. 4: Ubuntu Conversation Series: Celebrating New Americans in Columbus
• Saturday, Dec. 6: The Village Winter Gathering with Action for Children
• Tuesday, Dec. 9: On the Shoulders of Giants: Scientific Symposium on Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention with Child Mind Institute (Free CME or CE)
• Tuesday, Dec. 9: Advocate Like A Star for Peer Supporters with The PEER Center (3 CEUs)
• Wednesday, Dec. 10: Creating Balance in Case Management for Professionals Serving Refugees with Switchboard
• Wednesday, Dec. 10: Advance Care Planning: Self-Determination in Action with NASW (1 CEU, $0-10)
• Thursday, Dec. 11: Preparing for Health Affordability Challenges Facing Ohioans in 2026 with HPIO
• Thursday, Dec. 11: Brain-Based Trauma Informed Approach Training (6 CEUs)
• Tuesday, Dec. 16: Safe Sleep Ambassador Training for Professionals with Columbus Public Health
• Wednesday, Dec. 17: South Side Thrive All Network Forum
• Wednesday, Dec. 17: Trauma Responsive Care Training with CARE Coalition
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Pediatric Grand Rounds 
• Ohio AAP Preventive Health Webinars for Providers
• Pediatric First Aid for Teachers & Caregivers Online Training from Ohio AAP ($25)
• Clintonville Counseling & Wellness: Recorded CE Webinars and Clinical Tools 
• NASW: Free Recorded License Prep Training 
• OCALI: Promoting Access for People Who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, or Visually Impaired (2.5 CEUs) 
• She Has A Name Online Learning Platform: Anti-Human Trafficking Education 
• Addressing Human Trafficking in America’s Schools Webinar Series 
• Understanding the Journey of Cuban and Haitian Entrants: Free Archived Webinar 
• Free Recorded Webinars from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• SPEAK UP Sexual Violence Prevention for School Staff: Free, Online Training
• Healthcare and Human Trafficking Intervention: Videos & Discussion Guide for Healthcare Professionals 
• Online Pediatric First Aid & Safety Training for Teachers & Caregivers from American Academy of Pediatrics ($25) 
• Community Physical Activity Leader (CPAL): Free Online Course 
• Cribs for Kids: Free Safe Sleep Ambassador Training
• Free SUD COE Webinars from Case Western Center for Evidence-Based Practices
• Understanding Trauma Responses in Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from NCTSN 
• Mind Over Misinformation: Free Modules for Youth on Media Literacy from American Psychological Association
  
• Understanding Drug Use for Teens/Youth: Lesson Plans & Activities for Parents & Educators from NIDA 

Resources & Tools

• 2025 Winter Warming Stations
• RSV Vaccine Helping Hands
• Coach & Athletic Trainer Toolkit from National Eating Disorders Association
• Learning Disorders Resources in English and Spanish from Child Mind Institute
• Ohio Department of Health Respiratory Dashboard
• Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative COVID-19 Data Dashboard
• 2025 Franklin County Health Map
• 2025 Franklin County Children Services Resource Guide
• Resources for Kids Impacted by Incarceration
• Resources for Nonprofits from Human Services Chamber of Franklin County 
• 2025 Columbus Street Card 
• Ohio Food Pantries by Zip Code from Franklin County Office on Aging 
• DataOhio Human Trafficking Data Portal 
• Recovery Housing Residences Registry from OhioMHAS 
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center: Printable Red-Cards in 16 Languages 
• Refugee Cash Assistance Guide
• Public Benefits Overview for Refugees & Immigrants

Job Postings

• CD4AP: Warming Center Engagement Specialist & Supervisor
• St. Stephen’s House: Seeking Case Manager
• Gracehaven: Multiple Openings 
• Delaware Area Career Center: Seeking Adult Education Teacher 
• Franklin County Children Services: Multiple Openings
• Columbus Metropolitan Libraries (CML): Multiple Openings 
• Ohio Guidestone: Multiple Openings 
• Community Shelter Board: Jobs Board 
• Human Service Chamber of Franklin County: Nonprofit Job Board 
• OANO: Ohio Non-Profits Job Bank 
• Ohio Association of County Boards Job Bank 
• Hearts Connected Career Center for Child Life Specialists

Do you have feedback or professional opportunities to share with CAP4Kids? Contact Us!

Family Activities, Events for Parents, and More Timely Resources!

Free or Low-Cost Family Fun:

Affordable, family-friendly fun here in Columbus, Ohio! Click on the links for event details, registration may be required. Scroll down for more!

• Thursday, Dec. 4: City of Dublin Tree Lighting Ceremony
• Thursday, Dec. 4: Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting at The Ohio Statehouse
• Friday, Dec. 5: Health and the Holidays at The Reeb Center
• Friday, Dec. 5: Holiday Tree Lighting in Uptown Westerville
• Friday, Dec. 5: Pickerington Holiday Gathering & Tree Lighting 
• Friday, Dec. 5: Upper Arlington Winter Festival
• Friday, Dec. 5: Reynoldsburg Tree Lighting Ceremony
• December 5 & 6: Grove City Christmas Celebration Weekend
• December 5-7: Christmas in Downtown Delaware
• Saturday, Dec. 6, 13, 20: Letters to Santa and Trolley Ride at Ohio Railway Museum (Registration Required, $16+) 
• Saturday, Dec. 6: WinterFest Columbus
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Free Sensory Santa in Gahanna
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Home Depot Kids Workshop: Holiday Cocoa Mug
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Granville Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Winterfest and Tree Lighting in Downtown Lancaster
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Holidays in Powell
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Holiday Stuffie Sleepover at Storyline Bookshop in Upper Arlington
• Sunday, Dec. 7: Free Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory
• Sunday, Dec. 7: Signs of Christmas ASL Choir Concert at CML Main Library
• Sunday, Dec. 7: HolidayVille in Clintonville
• Sunday, Dec. 7: Hilliard Tree Lighting
• Sunday, Dec. 7: Bexley Tree Lighting
• Sunday, Dec. 7: Village Lights in German Village
• Monday, Dec. 8: Careers as a First Responder for ages 12-17 at Columbus Metropolitan Libraries
• Tuesday, Dec. 9: Sensory Storytime and Playtime at Westerville Library (Ages 2-7)
• Wednesday, Dec. 10: Sensory Storytime at Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground
• Friday, Dec. 12: Down Syndrome High School Social Group
• Friday, Dec. 12: Red Oak Sensory-Friendly Winter Wonderland
• Saturday, Dec. 13: Free Autism Winter Wonderland with Success on the Spectrum
• Saturday, Dec. 13: WOSU Second Saturday Kids Day
• Saturday, Dec. 13: Winter Lights Holiday Celebration at Hilltop Library
• Saturday, Dec. 13: Holiday Histories at Ohio History Center
• Saturday, Dec. 13: Santa at Barnett Community Center
• Sunday, Dec. 14: ProMusica Family Concert at Dublin Library
• Sunday, Dec. 14: Bexley Menorah Lighting
• Monday, Dec. 15: Hanukkah Celebration at Franklin Park Conservatory (included in admission)
• Tuesday, Dec. 16: Zoom Santa for Kids with Autism with Autism Society of Central Ohio
• Wednesday, Dec. 17: Adaptive Adventures Holiday Party at Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground
• Thursday, Dec. 18: KidX Cookies & Claus at Polaris Fashion Place
• Thursday, Dec. 18: Family Fun Night: Hot Cocoa & Board Games at Hilltop YMCA ($20)
• Saturday, Dec. 20: Winter Holidays Around the World at South High Library
• Friday, Dec. 26: Family Adventures at Columbus Museum of Art ($0-22)
• Friday, Dec. 26: Citywide Kwanzaa Celebration at The King Arts Complex
• December 27 & 28: Kwanzaa 614 Celebration at Ohio History Center
• Tuesday, Dec. 30: Noon Years Eve Dance Party at CML Main Library
• 2nd & 4th Sundays of Each Month: Upper Cup Chess Community Open Play 
• Now – Dec. 15: Model Trains at Westerville Public Library
• Now – Jan. 4: Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
• Now – Feb. 15: WanderLights in Downtown Columbus
• 2025 Ohio Lights Trail & Holiday Events
• Free Photos with Santa at Cabela’s

More Fun & Free Resources from CAP4Kids! 

Informational Events & Resources:

Free or low-cost parenting classes, job help, healthcare screenings, and more! Click the links for event & registration details. 

• Now – Dec. 12: Compost Your Pumpkins and Gourds!
• Thursday, Dec. 4: Free Parenting Workshop: Dealing with Disobedience
• Tuesday, Dec. 9: Free Adoption-Literate Parenting Tools Workshop
• Tuesday, Dec. 9: Free Parenting Workshop: Managing Fighting and Aggression
• Wednesday, Dec. 10:  Free Resource Pick-Up for Ages 12-14 at Kaleidoscope Youth Center
• Wednesday, Dec. 10: Free Parenting Workshop: Developing Good Bedtime Routines
• Wednesday, Dec. 10: ACT/SAT Study Session with CML – Click for Locations
• Thursday, Dec. 11: From Holiday Intentions to Lifelong Resilience for Black & Brown Women Impacted by Disability
• Thursday, Dec. 11: Free Legal Aid Clinic in Hilliard
• Monday, Dec. 15: Free Special Education Legal Clinic: Advocacy Beyond the IEP Meeting
• Wednesday, Dec. 17: Real Men Real Talk: Holiday Social
• Wednesday, Dec. 17: Free Parenting Workshop: Hassle-Free Shopping with Children
• Wednesday, Dec. 17: Accessible Device Showcase with National Federation of the Blind
• Saturday, Dec. 20: Drive-Thru Pet Pantry at Columbus Humane
• Fridays: Drop-In Cell Phone and Computer Support at Fran Ryan Center
• Monthly: Get help signing up for benefits at your local YMCA!
• Fourth Monday of each month: Latino Living with HIV Support Group
• Free Exercise, Wellness, and Parenting Classes and More at Mount Carmel Healthy Living Center 
• Bloom Kids Mental Health Online Curriculum for Parents
• Suicide Prevention Resources for Families
• HB68 Trans Community Resource Guide 
• Legal Aid Legal Clinic Calendar
• Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS) Legal Clinic Calendar
• Resources for Kids Impacted by Incarceration

Essential Needs & Resources:

• 2025 Winter Warming Stations
• City of Columbus SNAP Response Plan
• Franklin County Job and Family Services: SNAP and Government Shutdown FAQ
• Franklin County Food Resources
• HEAP and PIPP Utility Discount Programs
• Columbus Utility Discount Resources 
• Mobile Health Locator 
• Columbus Mobile Produce Markets Schedule
• AEP Ohio Outage Map 
• Columbus Trash Collection Day Lookup
• Car Seat Assistance for Income-Eligible Families with Columbus Public Health 
• Rentful: Resource for Renters in Franklin County  
• Cheapest Gas Prices Around Columbus 
• Searching for Childcare 
• Clothing Resources 
• Emergency Food Help 
• Emergency Housing Help 
• Emergency Hotlines 
• 2025 Columbus Street Card 
• 2025 Franklin County Children Services Resource Guide

ADHD Awareness

Some great resources from CHADD, On Our Sleeves, CDC & Healthy Parents

What is ADHD?

ADHD Awareness  

How Do I Know if My Child Has ADHD?

Diagnosing ADHD in Children: Guidelines & Information for Parents 

What Are Some Common Myths?

8 ADHD Myths & Misconceptions  

My Child Has ADHD. Now What?

Managing ADHD in Children and Teens 

Parenting a Child with ADHD  

Learn About Sun Safety!

All About Sun Safety:

• Sun Safety: Information for Parents About Sunburn & Sunscreen
• Learn About Sun Health Effects from the EPA
• Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun

Sunscreen & UV Protection: 

• All About Sunscreen
• What Is the Best Sunscreen? from Yale Medicine
• Sunscreen and Sun Safety Tips from Nationwide Children’s Hospital
• Ultraviolet Radiation Information from the CDC

Sunburn Remedies:

• All About Sunburn from Nationwide Children’s Hospital
• What’s the best way to protect kids’ skin from sunburn?
• Sunburn Treatment: What works? from Mayo Clinic
• Sunburn and Sun Protection Toolkit 

SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Promise Club

This school-based program teaches children how to be advocates for peace through a variety of activities that are fun and engaging. Visit for contact information.
sandyhookpromise.org/our-programs/save-promise-club