Resources

Families deserve access to support that helps them feel cared for, informed, and connected.

The Nursing Nest provides private infant care accommodations at community events. We are not a crisis service, medical provider, or case management agency, but we believe families should know where to start when they need support.

This page includes Ohio and Central Ohio resources that may help with postpartum mental health, baby supplies, food, housing, and family support.

If you are not sure where to begin, call 211. Ohio 211 helps connect people to local support for needs like food, housing, utilities, health care, and family services.

Immediate Support

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 if you or someone you love needs immediate mental health crisis support.

Emergency Help

Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.

Franklin County Homeless Hotline

Call (614) 274-7000 if your family is homeless or needs emergency shelter in Franklin County. The Community Shelter Board lists this hotline as open 24 hours a day.

Postpartum Mental Health Support

POEM: Perinatal outreach & encouragement for moms

POEM is a program of Mental Health America of Ohio that supports Ohio moms and birthing people through peer support, referrals, resources, and community connection.

If you are feeling anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, disconnected, or not like yourself during pregnancy or after having a baby, POEM is a supportive place to start.

Helpful for: postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, pregnancy and postpartum support, peer connection, and referrals.

Pregnancy, Baby, and Family Support

CelebrateOne

CelebrateOne helps expecting and new moms in Columbus connect with resources that support healthy pregnancies, healthy babies, and stronger starts.

Helpful for: pregnancy support, infant health resources, community connection, and family support in Columbus.

WIC: Women, Infants and children

WIC supports eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women as well as infants and children up to age 5. Columbus Public Health lists WIC services as including eligibility support, appointments, locations, and what to bring to your appointment.

Helpful for: nutrition support, breastfeeding support, formula support, and food benefits.

Diapers and Baby Supplies

Little bottoms Free Store

Little Bottoms Free Store provides diapers, wipes, and baby clothes to Franklin County families with children ages 0-3. Their service hours are currently listed as Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Helpful for: diapers, wipes, baby clothes, and basic baby needs.

Columbus Diaper Coalition

Columbus Diaper Coalition helps provide diapers and wipes through partner agencies in the Greater Columbus area. Families can use their website to find a partner agency near them.

Helpful for: diaper support through local partner agencies.

Columbus Diaper Bank

Columbus Diaper Bank partners with community-based social service agencies to distribute diapers to families in need across Central Ohio.

Helpful for: diaper support through community partners.

Food Support

Mid-Ohio Food Collective

Mid-Ohio Food Collective works with hundreds of local partners and programs to help families find food. Their website includes a tool to search for nearby food locations by ZIP code.

Helpful for: food pantries, fresh food, and local food assistance.

Ohio 211

Ohio 211 can also help families find food support and other nearby services.

Helpful for: food, housing utilities, health care, and local family resources.

Housing and Emergency Shelter

Community Shelter Board Homeless HOtline

If your family is homeless or needs emergency shelter in Franklin County, call (614) 274-7000. The hotline is available 24 hours a day.

Home for Families

Home for Families serves families and youth in Franklin County and receives referrals from area shelters. Their website directs families who are homeless to call the Homeless Hotline at (614) 274-7000.

Helpful for: family homelessness support, shelter referrals, and housing stability resources.

Rent and Utility Assistance

IMPACT COmmunity Action

IMPACT Community Action helps Franklin County residents connect with housing stability and crisis assistance. Programs may include rental support, utility assistance, energy assistance, and other services depending on eligibility and current funding.

Families can call 614-252-2799 or visit IMPACT Community Action online to learn what assistance is currently available and how to apply.

Helpful for: rental assistance, utility support, housing stability, and energy assistance.

Rental assistance programs often depend on current funding and appointment availability. Please contact IMPACT directly to confirm what is open and what documents are needed.

Looking for something else?

If you need support and do not know where to start, call 211 or visit Ohio 211.

The Nursing Nest is also continuing to build this resource page. If you know of a trusted Ohio or Central Ohio resource that supports families with infants, please contact us so we can learn more.

Resource information can change. Please contact each organization directly to confirm current services, eligibility, hours, and availability. The Nursing Nest shares resources for informational purposes and does not guarantee services from any listed organization.