Are you a new parent in Columbus, Ohio and looking for resources to help you care for your baby? You're in luck! There are many organizations and programs in the area that can provide you with the support and guidance you need. The Center for Healthy Families is a free, supportive program for pregnant teens or teens with children aged 13 to 19 in Franklin County. It offers a variety of services, including housing recommendations, resources for child care, personal development and goal setting, free clothing and baby items, parenting skills, health and nutrition classes, tutoring, case management and parent advocacy, and free HIV and STD testing. Additionally, the Center provides bereavement support to families affected by the loss of a pregnancy or a baby.
The CHAMPS program is a mentoring program for single-parent college students and young Columbus-area high school girls and women who are parenting or are pregnant. It also offers parents the option of leaving a baby (up to 30 days old) with a medical worker at a hospital, a medical worker at a fire department or other emergency services organization, or a police officer from a law enforcement agency. The Positive Paths parenting program is designed to help parents or caregivers with children of any age learn basic parenting skills. The Mount Sinai Parenting Center also created Sparks, a video series for parents of children from birth to 5 years old.
Additionally, there are parenting classes available to parents who have pending Child Protective Services (CPS) cases if they have a contract with the CPS. Pregnant teens from Franklin County or teenage girls who are parents can call Teen Parent Connection to get the help they need, including medical care, parenting help, housing, education, child care, and job assistance. Action for Children also offers free information and assistance in choosing daycare centers, parenting programs for mothers and fathers, workshops for parents, and learning tests for children of all ages throughout Central Ohio. Parents can also connect to the Internet to talk to others who are going through similar situations, participate in discussion groups, and find local resources and information about losing a baby.
Plus, Action for Children provides free clothing, shoes, accessories and toys for families with children aged 0 to 3 in Columbus. New parents in Columbus have plenty of options when it comes to finding resources to help them care for their babies. From free programs like Center for Healthy Families and CHAMPS to online support groups and Action for Children's free clothing program, there are plenty of ways to get the help you need as a new parent.
