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Southwest Ohio Foster/Adoptive Family Resources
We've compiled this list of resources, beyond what is offered through Operation Blessing Bag, to help connect foster and adoptive parents to the many other opportunities for support.
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How to contact your county's Ombudsman
An ombudsman is a separate entity who receives complaints and investigates whether an agency is following the proper policies and procedures. Ohio has an Ombudsman at the state level and several Ohio counties also have their own Ombudsman or Client Rights Department.
Anyone can file a complaint with the Ombudsman.
What are some reasons a foster parent might contact an Ombudsman? You might call the Ombudsman if a case worker is behaving inappropriately, a case worker isn't communicating or visiting the child as frequently as they should, a decision on the case seems inappropriate, among many other reasons.
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Ohio Youth and Family Ombudsmen Office
YouthOmbudsman.ohio.gov
(877) 649-6884
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Hamilton County Client Rights
Submit a question or comment online
(513) 946-1313
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Butler County Ohio Ombudsman
Michelle Best​
(513) 887-4042
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We can't vouch for the quality or effectiveness of the below resources, but we want to make sure you know they exist.
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Mental and Behavioral Health
988- A free 24/7 suicide and crisis hotline that you can call or text.
Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, 988's caring counselors are here for you.
Call/Text: 988
Visit: https://988lifeline.org/
MRSS- A 24/7 mobile response service for in home help during a mental health crisis. Available in Butler, Warren, and Clermont counties.
Youth and young adults up to age 21 who are experiencing difficulties or distress can receive assistance within 60 minutes . You may also receive up to 42 days of intensive, in-home services and linkage to on-going supports.
Call: 1-888-418-MRSS
Visit: https://mrssohio.org/
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Ohio Rise- A program for youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs.
Youth on Medicaid can qualify with a CANS assessment and can receive equipment and supplies for in the home, managing care, home based treatment, and more.
Call: 833-711-0773
Visit: https://managedcare.medicaid.ohio.gov/managed-care/ohiorise
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Clothing and Physical Needs
Hope's Closet- Free clothing boutique for kids in foster care
Foster parents can call and schedule an appointment for their kids in foster care. The children receive a free personal shopping experience, a full wardrobe, and several other physical needs.
Call: 513-860-HOPE
Visit: https://www.hopesclosetohio.org/
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Jack's Closet- Provides clothing and essentials to foster and kinship families
A Ministry of Clough United Methodist Church, children in foster and kinship care receive clothing, underwear, shoes and so much more.
Call: 513-607-0514
Visit: https://www.jackscloset.org/
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Give Like a Mother- Provides clothing to children in need
Clermont and Brown County Children in need can receive a package of clothing assembled just for them based on the information parents enter in a request form. Clothing packages have to be picked up at their location in EastGate Mall.
Call: 513-732-0130
visit: https://givelikeamother.org/
Rhea Lana- Offers a day for foster families to shop unpurchased items for free.
Rhea Lana consignment sales are held semi-annually. Watch their website and Facebook page for more details about when free shopping days will be held for foster families.
Text/Call: 513-285-3625
Visit: https://northcincinnati.rhealana.com/
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Magnolia Resources- Provides Bloom Boxes to kids in foster and kinship care
Bloom Boxes are requested through the online form and are best suited for kids 0-9 years old. They must be picked up curbside in Lebanon and include items like clothing, hygiene items, toys, books, and more.
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Training Hours and Community
SEE Night- Operation Blessing Bag events where we Support, Encourage, and Equip foster families
This is the one service on the list that comes from Operation Blessing Bag. SEE Nights are free events held 8 times through the year and offer in person support and training topics with dinner and child care provided. Foster families can contact MelissaEldridge@OperationBlessingBag.com for event details, otherwise dates and locations are kept private to protect attendees.
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THRIVE Conference- Annual conference packed with hours of training
This free annual conference provides all day training with meals and child care provided. Child care is usually a small fee.
Call: (513) 449-1003
Visit: https://thriveadoption.com/
Foster Parent College- Online training on your own time
Although Foster Parent College courses aren't free, many agencies cover the cost. Check with your licensing agency about free access.
Visit: https://www.fosterparentcollege.com/
EQUIP- Training and connection opportunities at Hope's Closet
In addition to their clothing boutique Hope's Closet hosts quarterly EQUIP foster parent training events. They also offer DELIGHT whole family events and INSPIRE events which are great opportunities to connect with other foster families. Check their website or join their Facebook groups for event details
visit: https://www.hopesclosetohio.org/programs/
Foster/Adoptive Family Facebook Group
Hopefull Pastures- Therapeutic farm for kids who've experienced trauma
Eight to twelve week sessions are offered three seasons a year. Sessions include an animal therapy curriculum that promotes healing, child care for siblings, and on-site parent mentorship.
Call: (513) 323-7573
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Developmental and Disability Support
Help Me Grow- Developmental support for 0-3 year old children
In-home early intervention services for children birth to three years old who may have a delay or disability.
Call: (800) 755-4769
Visit: https://www.helpmegrow.org/
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ARC of Ohio- Provides advocacy and support for people with disabilities
Advocacy and support offered includes help with IEP's, assitance navigating the county Department of Disabilities, and more.
Call: (614) 487-4720
Visit: https://www.thearcofohio.org/
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CABVI
The Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired (CABVI) offers supports and resources from access technology to music therapy and in home support.
Visit: https://cincyblind.org/
Call: (513) 221-8558
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The services offered to kids with ambylopia (lazy eye) by the Ohio Ambylope Registry include free eye patches, social stories, and more.
Visit: https://ohioamblyoperegistry.com/
Call: 1-877-808-2422
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Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
The Ohio DODD supports people with developmental Disabilities and their families with services such as help with daily living needs, day time activities, and more. Your county's Board of Developmental Disabilities will determine if your child is eligible for services.
CLICK HERE to find your county board
Call Center: 1-800-617-6733
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Health Care Providers
Dental Providers Accepting Medicaid
Click here for safety net dental providers by county
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Cincinnati Children's CHECK Foster Care Clinic
The CHECK clinic Specializes in providing pediatric care to children in child welfare's custody and can help get initial comprehensive evaluations for new placement scheduled quickly.
Call: (513) 636-9979
Visit: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/c/foster-care
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Day Treatment Centers and Partial Hospitalization Programs
Below are some program options for children who need intensive ongoing treatment for their behavioral and mental health:
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Positive Leaps
Provides services to children 3-8 years old. Locations are in West Chester and Eastgate.
Website
Call: (513) 760-1843 -
Cincinnati Children's
Provides services to children 10-17 years old. Locations are in Green Township and Norwood.
Website​
Call: (513) 636-4788 -
Best Point
Provides services for children 3-18 years old at one location in Cincinnati.
Website
Call: (513) 272-2800
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Nutritional Support
WIC- Nutrition education and free nutritious foods
WIC helps eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants, and children up to 5 years of age.
Call: (800) 755-4769
Visit: https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/Women-Infants-Children/program-description
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Church on Fire's Free Farmers Market
This is a free weekly drive through food pantry in Harrison, OH. All are welcome, no proof of income or registration required.
Every Wednesday 6pm-8pm behind Church on Fire Harrison
Visit: https://www.mychurchonfire.org/serve
Text: FOOD to 513-268-0756
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Shared Harvest organizes food assistance across five Ohio counties. Use their website to find a food pantry near you.
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Post Adoption Support
​The Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS) is an OhioKAN service that can provide a special needs adopted child up to $10k in funding per year for respite, equipment, specialized services, and more.
Visit: https://ohiokan.ohio.gov/
Call: 1-844-644-6526
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Other Support
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Programs:​
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Big Brother Big Sister of Cincinnati
Request a Big to be a mentor and role model for your Little HERE
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No cost tutoring, organized sports, access to arts and so much more at the after school program and summer camp.
Visit: https://bgcgc.org/
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Children with life threatening conditions and their families gain access to community events like sporting events, theme parks, museums and more.
Visit: https://akidagain.org/
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Discounts
Half price monthly subscription ($6.99) when you provide documentation from a government assistance program like Medicaid, WIC, or SNAP.
Visit: https://www.amazon.com/58f8026f-0658-47d0-9752-f6fa2c69b2e2/qualify
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Museums For All- Cincinnati Museum Center, Boonshoft, and more
Tickets as low as $3/person for a limited number of guests when presenting a Medicaid card, WIC, or SNAP. Participating Museums include:
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Cincinnati Museum Center-
Visit: https://www.cincymuseum.org/museums-for-all/
Call: (513) 287-7001
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Boonshoft Museum of Discovery-
Visit: https://boonshoft.org/accessibility-2/
Call: (937) 275-7431
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​COSI-
Visit: https://cosi.org/m4a
Call: (380) 219-6115
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Kentucky Science Center
Visit: https://kysciencecenter.org/
Call: (502) 561-6100
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Search all available museums at: https://museums4all.org/#!
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Mattress Firm- Nonprofit Pricing
Who Qualifies? Foster children; while in care and after aging out Licensed foster parents with children in their care
How to Order: Send an email to: commercialsales@mfrm.com
Include:
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Copy of your foster license
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Contact information
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How many mattresses you need & what sizes
A Mattress Firm commercial sales professional will contact you within 24 hours during Monday Friday 9am-5pm. This offer is NOT available at any Mattress Firm store and must be handled through the commercial sales division.
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Walmart+ - Free deliveries from your store, fuel discounts, and free shipping
Walmart+ Assist offers half price ($6.47/month or $49/year) Walmart+ subscription to families receiving government assistance. Foster families have been able to qualify for this discount by submitting the child's medicaid card and the first page of the placement packet.
Visit: https://www.walmart.com/plus/assist
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YMCA- Some locations offer a 50% discount to foster families
Check with your YMCA location about possible discounts for foster families.
Visit: https://countrysideymca.org/membership/discounts-promotions/odjfs.html