Help For Parents
Here are some national and local agencies, support groups and resources for parents.
Alcohol, Drug & Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH)
Helps Franklin County residents find the right places to turn for low cost, alcohol, drug addiction and mental health services by overseeing more than 35 community agencies. These community agencies have a sliding fee scale for services, meaning any Franklin County resident can get needed services and be charged on the basis of income and circumstance. They have a list of support groups on their website as well.
447 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 (614) 224-1057 adamhfranklin.org
Asperger’s Syndrome Support Group: For parents and guardians of children with Asperger’s Syndrome. Meets 6:30 p.m. first and third Thursdays of the month at Brookwood Presbyterian Church, 2685 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus. 614-235-3451.
Cap4Kids
Cap4Kids has a comprehensive list of resources for parents. Here is a list of some of the categories covered on their list.
Contact their Caregiver Help Desk to get help finding information on navigating complex caregiving challenges. Their website also provide helpful resources to support family caregivers. Caregiver Help Desk: (855) 227-3640 caregiveraction.org
Children & Adults with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) of Columbus
This national organization has a local chapter that offers support and guidance to children and adults with ADHD. Visit their website for contact and meeting information.
Program: support groups and educational events
Eligibility: teens and adults, no age or education requirements
Cost: some events are free and others require a small membership fee
Referral: no referral needed
ADHD Helpline: (866) 200-8098 chadd.net/chapter/20G National website: chadd.org
Coalition of Adoptive Families (COFAF)
Provides education, access to resources and tools for adoptive families. Visit the website for contact information. facebook.com/coalitionofadoptivefamilies
Offers support groups for adoptive and foster parents and kinship caregivers, as well as hosts an open art studio for all youth once a month as a means for expression and identity development. The open studio is a space to do art of your choice with materials of your choice, along with prompts and guidance if needed. Encompass will serve young adults beyond age 18 depending on their needs and developmental level. The support groups are free, but the monthly art groups have a fee. Scholarships are offered on an as-needed basis. 122 South Terrace Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204 (502) 873-6723
encompassadoptees.org
Eating Disorder Support Groups: For anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder support and family and friends. Meets 6:30 p.m. first and third Tuesdays of the month (except holidays). Free, but donations are accepted. The Center for Balanced
Living, 445 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Worthington. thecenterforbalancedliving.org
Mothers of Murdered Children
Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MOMCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the rapid increase of crime resulting in murder in Columbus, Ohio to support collaborative action focused on crime prevention.
(614) 721-2354 saveourstreetscolumbus@gmail.com P.O. Box 298204 | Columbus, OH 43229
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Franklin County
Provides support, advocacy and education to improve the quality of life for people with mental illness, and offer support to their families and close friends. Support groups, respite care and educational classes are available free of charge throughout Ohio for various ages and stages of development. Franklin County residents may call 9-1-1 and request a police officer who has received specialized training in mental health and substance abuse issues (a CIT officer). NAMI Franklin County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program is a police-based pre-arrest jail diversion program.
1225 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215 (614) 501-6264 Get help now: Call (800) 686-2646 or text ‘NAMI’ to 741741
namifranklincounty.org
NAMI Ohio: namiohio.org
Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Connecting Families
A hospital-wide family-to-family (peer-to-peer) mentor program. Connecting Families reaches patients of all diagnoses to link them with a family who has been through a similar treatment paths or life situations.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205 (614) 722-6747
nationwidechildrens.org/connecting-families
NETCARE
Emergency Response Service is the dedicated Netcare Access team that answers the 24/7 Crisis Phone Line for anyone in need of assistance or in a mental health or substance abuse crisis.
Ohio Coalition for Education of Children with Disabilities works with parents to help them obtain the assistance they need. If you need one-to-one assistance, call (740) 382-5452 or email us at ocecd@ocecd.org
Ohio Family 2 Family (Ohio F2F)
Ohio F2F staff are parents of children with special healthcare needs helping other parents. We offer one-on-one support through information and referrals, and hold training events for families and professionals. We are an affiliate of the national organization Family Voices. Visit the website for additional contact information.
ohiof2f.org
Provides foster care and adoption education and resources. Get current information about new adoption laws, changes in policy, upcoming Ohio adoption community events and resources to help birth families. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Office of Families and Children provides a 40-page adoption guide with information about the adoption process in Ohio.
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Listings of Foster Care & Adoption Agencies in Ohio: fosterandadopt.jfs.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/ofc/ohio-childcare-needs/service-provider-directory
Adoption File Information: odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/Adoption-File-Information
Parents Anonymous of Ohio: Part of a worldwide network, this weekly family strengthening support group is open to anyone in a parenting role. Meals are provided for parents and their children (up to age 18), who can attend the Parents Anonymous children and youth group. Meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Child Development Council of Franklin County Inc. G. Tyree Head Start Center, 1077 Lexington Ave., Columbus. parentsanonymous.org
Perinatal Outreach & Encouragement (POEM Inc.): For moms who have survived prenatal or postpartum depression. POEM is the Ohio coordinator of Postpartum Support International, the leading authority on perinatal mental health. 614-315-8989. poemonline.org
SID Network of Ohio: Provides support and resources to those who have lost an infant to SIDS. 800-477-7437. sidsohio.org
Offers a variety of services and programs some include an early childhood center, after-school and summer programs, sports and exercise programs, a free health clinic and free legal clinic, as well as immigration counseling services (DACA). Other programs include daytime and evening GED prep classes, English as a Second Language (ESL), programs for homeschoolers, men’s and women’s support and recovery groups, marriage and parenting programs, financial counseling, career development services, dance, art, and music classes, and much more. 6000 Cooper Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081 (614) 259-5238 vineyardcommunitycenter.org