Infant, Maternity, and New Parent Resource Guide
Many programs in central Ohio will help you care for yourself and your baby during pregnancy and after birth. They offer resources that will help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Action for Children
Action for Children has free information and can help you look at childcare options, parenting programs, and learning checkups for kids of all ages.
- Franklin County RISE program helps make childcare and early education more accessible to all.
- Empowered Fathers Empower Families offers parenting support for dads.
78 Jefferson Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: Call (614) 224-0222, extension 299 - available in English and Spanish
Website: www.actionforchildren.org
Birthright
Birthright offers help for women with unplanned pregnancies. They provide maternity clothing and supplies such as diapers and wipes. No referral is needed.
2453 W. Mound St
Columbus, Ohio 43294
Phone: (614) 221-0844
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Disclaimer* Please note that Birthright does not provide or refer for abortions. Consult a licensed medical professional for prenatal care, including ultrasounds. Crisis centers do not have the same confidentiality or privacy standards as medical professionals and do not have to adhere to HIPAA. Please use your judgment to choose which organization best fits your needs.
CAP4Kids
CAP4Kids is a website that helps families find low-cost and free community resources. Go online and search by zip code or category. You can also search in the language of your choice. Resources include help with:
- Baby supplies
- Low-cost health services
- Transportation
- Breast/chestfeeding
- Childcare
- Rent and utilities
- Parenting support groups
- Legal problems
- Not being evicted
Sign up for the monthly newsletter to find out about free community events.
Website: https://cap4kids.org/columbus
Celebrate One and Step One
- Celebrate One is a community program to help reduce infant deaths. The website has information, resources, and support for pregnant or parenting women and teens. They also host community baby showers.
- Phone: (614) 645-1717
- Website: www.columbus.gov/celebrate-one
- Email: celebrateone@columbus.gov
- StepOne helps women find affordable, timely and convenient prenatal care, and resources for a healthy pregnancy. Help with housing may be available for women over 18 years of age that are in their first or second trimester. Call (614) 721-0009.
Center for Healthy Families
Center for Healthy Families is a free program for pregnant or parenting teens ages 13 to 19 who live in Franklin County. It provides a Resource Advocate to help you find parenting resources, housing, education, childcare, a job, and other needs. TaP (Teenage and Pregnant) social workers can refer you to this program or you can refer yourself.
500 South Front Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 884-4200
Website: www.centerforhealthyfamilies.org
CHAMPS (College & High School Aspiring Mothers Partnership for Success)
CHAMPS is a mentoring program between single college students who are parents and Columbus area high school girls who are parenting or pregnant. CHAMPS offers one-on-one mentoring and online group mentoring. You can only apply in the fall. CHAMPS is through The Ohio State University ACCESS Collaborative Program.
Phone: (614) 247-7092
Website: www.odi.osu.edu/champs
Email: Jessica Parent - parent.22@osu.edu
CHLOE
CHLOE (Community, Health, Life Skills, Opportunities, and Education) is for pregnant teens and teen moms that are 13 to 21 years of age in Franklin County. Teens earn credit
to get baby items by attending mentoring and education programs.
Phone: (614) 477-1426
Website: www.chloeinc.org
Columbus Public Health – Childhood Injury Prevention Program Car Seat and Safe Sleep (Crib) Programs
The car seat program provides new, reduced-cost car seats to families in need. To get a car seat, moms must be 33 to 35 weeks pregnant, and caregivers must attend a 1-hour class. They also hold free car seat checks at fitting stations throughout Columbus. Seats are for children birth to school age. Call for classes, seat check dates, or an appointment.
Safe sleep classes are 1 hour. They are offered to families who need help getting a free crib.
Website: www.columbus.gov/publichealth/programs/childhood-injury-prevention| Car Seat Program 240 Parsons Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: (614) 645-7748 |
Safe Sleep Classes |
Columbus Public Health - Maternal & Child Health Home Visiting Programs
- My Baby & Me
- Moms & Babies First
- Pregnancy Support Services
- Newborn Home Visiting
- My Baby and Me Tobacco Free
You can also get education and information about:
- Pregnancy
- Women’s health
- Infant health
- Child development
- Support and guidance to solve problems and overcome barriers
- Help with applying for Medicaid and WIC
- Finding a doctor for your baby
- Help with getting social services
- Other assistance as needed
Call to be connected to the program that fits you best.
Phone: (614) 724-BABY (2229)
Columbus Scholar House
Affordable housing and childcare for eligible student parents. You must attend an accredited college or university full time. Student parents receive supportive services through OSU Access Collaborative program. CPO/Community Properties of Ohio Impact and OSU Access collaborate with Columbus State Community College.
910 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: (614) 253-0984
Website: https://cpoimpact.org//scholarhouse.aspx
Community Development for All People (CD4AP) and All People’s Fresh Market
This agency provides:
- Free produce, clothing, and household items to families in need
- Affordable housing on the South Side of Columbus
- Youth development
- Health coaching
- Low cost bike repairs and more
Also offers the All People’s Fresh Market, which has free, fresh food 5 days a week. Go online for more information.
946 Parsons Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43206
Main Phone: (614) 445-7342
Free Store Phone: (614) 443-1714
Website: www.4allpeople.org
Diapers
For a list of resources for free diapers, visit: www.columbusdiapercoalition.org/get-diapers
Directions for Youth & Families
- Teen Parent Connection offers home, school, and community-based counseling, case management, and parenting programs to youth ages 12 to 21 who are parenting or pregnant. Referrals to other community resources are also provided
- Positive Paths Parenting Program is for parents or caregivers with children of any age who want to learn basic parenting skills. Each class series has up to 8 hours of instruction. You will get a certificate when you're done. There is a fee for this program. All classes are held at 1515 Indianola Ave. Columbus, OH 43201, or may be virtual.
- Ready Set Grow (Kindergarten Readiness) offers an in-home kindergarten readiness program working directly with children and parent or guardian to enhance learning and help parents with child development skills. For families with children 3 to 6 years of age who may not be ready for kindergarten. There are eligibility requirements.
1515 Indianola Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43201
Phone: (614) 294-2661
Website: www.dfyf.org
Gladden Community House
Gladden is a settlement house serving Franklinton and its surrounding neighborhoods. They are a United Way-affiliated non-profit agency that provides education, recreation programs, emergency help, and support for individuals, families, and groups.
183 Hawkes Avenue
Columbus, OH 43223
Phone: (614) 227-1600
Gladden Food Pantry provides help with emergency food to households living in zip codes 43222, 43223, and 43215 west of the Scioto River.
318 South Glenwood Avenue
Columbus, OH 43223
Phone: (614) 228-2498
Website: www.gladdenhouse.org
GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need)
Services include food pantry, diapers, utility help, back to school help, summer lunches, and other resources for Jefferson School District and 43230 zip code only.
165 Granville Street
Gahanna, OH 43230
Phone: (614) 214-4747
Help Me Grow/Healthy Families of America
- The Home Visiting Program - free program for first-time pregnant mothers who meet income requirements. A home visitor provides pregnancy and parenting education, shows you nurturing parent-child activities, and connects you with community resources. Services are available until your child turns 3 years old. Phone: (614) 656 3322
- The Early Intervention Program - helps families of children from birth to 3 years of age who have developmental delays and disabilities. The program focuses on concerns about a child’s development, such as an infant or toddler’s language, feeding, walking, handling of toys, seeing, or hearing. There are no income requirements. Ask a social worker for a referral or refer yourself. Phone: (614) 227-9860
Huckleberry House
Offers help for youth who are struggling with homelessness, family conflict, poverty, and violence. A 24/7 Crisis Shelter offers a temporary safe place for teens ages 12 to 17 to stay. It includes meals, a bed, access to material help, counseling services, housing programs, and youth outreach.
24-hour Crisis Phone: (614) 294-5553
Website: www.huckhouse.org
| Main Campus 1421 Hamlet Street Columbus, Ohio 43201 Phone: (614) 294-8097 |
CARR/Youth Outreach Program |
Counseling Center Phone: (614) 298-4131 |
Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio is a program that mails kids 1 book each month until their 5th birthday. All kids in Ohio are eligible at birth and it is no cost to families. Enroll at https://ohioimaginationlibrary.org/enroll
Joint Organization for Inner-City Needs (JOIN)
Provides limited financial assistance for needs such as utilities that have been shut off or have shut-off notices, water, fuel, and help getting birth certificates. You will need a referral letter from an agency or organization. JOIN also makes referrals to community agencies so you don't have a repeat crisis.
578 East Main St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 241-2530
Website: www.columbuscatholic.org/join
Joseph’s Coat
Offers clothing, furniture, personal care items, and household goods to families in need. For furniture, a written referral from your church or local agency is required. organization.
240 Outerbelt Street
Suite 5
Columbus, Ohio 43213
Phone: (614) 863-1371
Hours: Tuesdays 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Website: www.josephs-coat.org
LSS 211 Central Ohio
Full-service information and referral service that connects those in need with government and community resources and social services in Franklin County. This includes an Emergency Food and Shelter Program 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is free and private.
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Phone Numbers: Information referral: 2-1-1 |
Websites: www.211centralohio.org |
Little Bottoms Free Store
Provides diapers, wipes, clothes, maternity items and baby supplies to any Franklin County family with children ages birth to 3 years of age or at least 28 weeks pregnant. Our mission is to support the most under-resourced families and babies on the Westside of Columbus and throughout Franklin County. Goal is to address the social determinants of health that impact our families and lead to higher infant mortality rates. Families are asked to register on our website ahead of time to get services. Spanish interpretation is provided. Caregiver photo ID and a sonogram, birth certificate, or medical record is required for each qualifying child ages 3 and under.
89 West Park Avenue
Columbus, OH 43222
Hours: Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Website: http://www.littlebottoms.org
Maternity Resource Centers (MRC)
Provides free maternity clothing and infant and toddler clothing. Diapers, bottles, and other baby items are subject to availability. No referral is needed, but a picture ID is required for children. It must include their name and date of birth like a birth certificate.
Immanuel Baptist Church
3417 Palmetto Street
Columbus, Ohio 43204
* Enter the north end of the west side of the building. There is a blue and white sign over the door.
Phone: (614) 272-7038
Hours: Wednesdays - 6:30 to 8 p.m., and the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Website: www.bflco.org/maternity-resource-center
Mommies Matter
Support program for single moms who are pregnant or have a baby younger than 6 months of age. Goal is to get rid of barriers single mothers may face and offer various services and enrichment meetings.
Phone: call or text (614) 723-9308
Website: https://mommiesmatter.org/
Moms 2B
Moms2B provides prenatal education and support programs each week for pregnant and parenting mothers. Free transportation to program sessions and childcare may be provided as well as food and rewards for attending. There are many locations around the Columbus area. Call for list of locations near you.
Phone: (614) 292-1605
Website: www.wexnermedical.osu.edu/moms2b
Email: Moms2B@osumc.edu
Dads2B
Dads2B offers prenatal education sessions to dads with various access to resources. Services may also include pregnant mothers. This program focuses on maternal, positive family structure and infant health.
1741 Main Street
Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: (614) 817-1950
Website: www.Urbanfdc.org
Nationwide Children’s Hospital - 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. Examples include:
- Adoption Academy
- Adult-Infant-Child CPR
- ADHD Academy
- Autism Academy
- Basic Babysitter Training
- Community Education for Diabetes
- Infant Care
- Parenting Class: 1234 Parents!
- Triple P (Positive Parenting Program)
- Sibshops™ - for brothers and sisters of children with autism
- Sounds of Love in Early Childhood: Music Therapy
- SPARK Program (Kindergarten Readiness) - free program that comes to your home to prepare your child for kindergarten
700 Children’s Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43205
Phone: (614) 355-0662
Website: www.NationwideChildrens.org/education-classes
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Nurse-Family Partnership is a program for when you are having your first baby. After you enroll, a specially trained nurse will visit you at home while you are pregnant and keep visiting until your baby is 2 years old. This is a free program for first-time, low-income moms and their babies. You must be enrolled by your 28th week of pregnancy. Enroll early. There is usually a waiting list.
Phone: (614) 722-8222
Text: (844) 637-6667 (English or Spanish)
Website: www.NationwideChildrens.org
Planned Parenthood
Provides low-cost sexual health care including birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and services, options counseling, termination referrals, HIV/STD counseling, care for LGBTQ teens, general health care, transgender hormone therapy, mammograms, fertility awareness and education, postpartum exams, and more.
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North Central Health Center 18 East 17th Avenue |
Franklinton Health Center 1511 West Broad Street |
East Columbus Surgical Center 3255 East Main Street |
POEM (Perinatal Outreach and Encouragement for Moms)
POEM offers free mom-to-mom support over the phone, by email, or in groups. There is free information about postpartum depression and other maternal mental health support. Provides referrals to special health care providers and community resources. RISE program provides POEM services by and for Black mothers. POEM is the Ohio Coordinator of Postpartum Support International (PSI).
Phone: Mom-to-Mom support line - (614) 315-8989
Website: www.poemonline.org
SPARK - Kindergarten Readiness Program
The SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) program provides a kindergarten readiness advantage for families with preschool-age children. It is free to any family living in Franklin County, Ohio. The SPARK family meets with their assigned home visitor, called a parent partner. The parent partner helps the parent engage the child in a lesson that was developed around state standards and is designed to provide a school readiness advantage. At each visit, a book, an activity card, and supplies are given to the family, so they can continue the learning between visits.
Phone: (614) 355-0714
Website: https://www.ecresourcecenter.org/wba/content/contact-us/
Email: SPARK@nationwidechildrens.org
St. Stephen’s Community House
Provides material help for low-income families, has a food and nutrition center, offers child care for eligible families, STEM after-school programs and summer STEM camp. Achieve More & Prosper (A.M.P) is a summer youth employment program.
1500 E. 17th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43219
Phone: (614) 294-6347
Website: www.saintstephensch.org
STAR House
Open 24 hours day, 7 day a week drop-in center for youth who are homeless ages 14 to 24 years old. Provides access to food, laundry, hygiene items, links to community resources, possible housing help, employment help, and group mentoring.
1220 Corrugated Way
Columbus, OH 43201
Phone: (614) 826-5868
Website: www.starhouse.us
Stowe Mission
A faith-based, non-profit organization that provides services, like pregnancy support, food pantry, tutoring, community kitchen, vision, dental, eye clinic, and more.
888 Parsons Avenue
Columbus, OH 43206
Phone: (614) 445-8400 or (614) 620-7286
Websites: www.stoweprc.org or www.stowemission.org
Teen & Pregnant Program (TaP)
Offers prenatal and postpartum care for pregnant women up to the age of 21 and 6 months. Program also focuses on the overall health of mother and baby which may include the entire family and the father-to-be. A multi-disciplinary team works to support safe infant care, birth control options, positive parenting and school/family balance. Parent consent required at first visit for patients under the age of 18.
Adolescent Medicine Clinic/Livingston Ambulatory Center
380 Butterfly Gardens Drive
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 355-6350
Website: www.nationwidechildrens.org/teen-and-pregnant
The Urban League
A community based, nonprofit, advocacy organization that empowers African Americans and marginalized groups through economic, educational, and social progress with programs, classes, and services. Programs including Father 2 Father which helps empower dads finding employment, managing money, emergency rental help and more. They also offer summer youth, parent enrichment, and neighborhood violence intervention.
788 Mount Vernon Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43203
Phone: (614) 257-6300
Website: www.cul.org
Vineyard Columbus
Offers support to women who have an unplanned pregnancy. The resource center provides baby items for infants up to 2 years of age for those in need. There are no qualifications to receive help, but a 30-minute intake meeting is required. Items are provided up to 4 weeks before the mother’s due date and after the baby is born. Items may include baby clothing, bottles, diapers, blankets, pacifiers, formula, baby food, car seats, bouncers, and swings.
6000 Cooper Road
Westerville, Ohio 43081
Phone: (614) 259-5528
Website: www.vineyardcolumbus.org
Women’s Care Center
Attend parenting and childbirth classes to earn coupons for baby clothing, furniture, cribs, wipes and blankets. Class schedules are online. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. You can visit www.womenscarecenter.org
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Location 1 935 E Broad Street Phone: (614) 251-0200 Monday through Friday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Location 2 3273 E Main Street Phone: (614) 235-3000 Monday through Friday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Disclaimer* Please note that this center does not provide or refer for abortions. Consult a licensed medical professional for prenatal care, including ultrasounds. Crisis centers do not have the same confidentiality or privacy standards as medical professionals and do not have to adhere to HIPAA. Please use your judgment to choose which organization best fits your needs.
Infant, Maternity, and New Parent Resource Guide (PDF)
Helping Hands™ Patient Education Materials
Helping Hands™ are easy-to-read guides about different illnesses, therapies, surgeries, and more. They’re created by the Patient Education team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and are reviewed and approved by clinical staff, like nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and psychologists. Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for misuse of information in patient education materials, including Helping Hands™.
HH-43 | ©2016, revised 2024, Nationwide Children’s Hospital