Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities is one of the most helpful resources we have found, and we wish we had known about it sooner. We only learned about it from another parent. Before that, we assumed we would not qualify because of our income. FCBDD eligibility is based on a person’s disability and support needs, not simply on whether a family meets the usual income limits for assistance.
We completed the intake process, and FCBDD assessed Gwen and determined that she was eligible for services. We were then assigned a service coordinator who helped us understand what support might be available and handled much of the coordination for us.
One of the biggest benefits for our family has been funding for up to five hours of physical therapy each month. Gwen was already receiving physical therapy through Nationwide Children’s Hospital, so we did not have to change therapists or start over. Children’s still bills our private insurance first. The remaining approved cost is then sent to Franklin County for payment. Our service coordinator contacted Children’s and helped set everything up, which made the process very easy for us.
Our service coordinator also completed a Medicaid waiver waiting list assessment with us. We still find the waiver system confusing, but the assessment determined that Gwen has what Ohio calls a “current need,” so she was added to the waiver waiting list. A current need generally means there is an unmet need for home and community-based services within the next 12 months. Being on the list does not mean a waiver will become available right away, and timing depends on assessed needs, priority, and available funding.
If Gwen eventually receives a waiver, she is expected to become eligible for Medicaid even though our household would not normally qualify based on income. We will keep the private insurance we receive through work, with Medicaid serving as secondary coverage. That could make a major difference for our family because we have reached Gwen’s out-of-pocket maximum every year since she was born.
Every family’s eligibility, approved services, and funding will be different, but this is absolutely worth asking about if you live in Franklin County. Families of children from birth through age 3 can start through Help Me Grow. For anyone age 3 or older, a parent or guardian can contact FCBDD Intake or complete the online application.
YCS (formerly ECRN+)
YCS, previously known as ECRN+, is part of the YMCA of Central Ohio. It supports families with children who have developmental delays, disabilities, or health care needs—from infancy through early childhood.
Their services include early intervention (0–3), developmental screenings for preschoolers, family support, SPARK (school readiness), Stable Families programs, and lending adaptive equipment like walkers, sensory tools, and feeding chairs. They also host community events like adaptive kayaking, hiking, and inclusive play groups.
YCS empowers over 2,000 Ohio families each year by helping navigate therapies, community resources, and school readiness.
May We Help
May We Help is a volunteer‑run nonprofit based in Cincinnati. Skilled teams of engineers, designers, therapists, and makers build custom adaptive devices at no cost for people whose needs aren’t met by off‑the‑shelf products. In 2023 they logged over 10,000 volunteer hours and delivered hundreds of custom solutions.
They offer services like adaptive equipment swaps—where families can pick up or donate items like wheelchairs, gait trainers, and strollers—and create one‑off devices such as wheelchair accessories or switches for toys and tools. Since 2019, they’ve distributed over $1.8M in equipment for free.
Projects are coordinated from their workshop and often involve a discovery visit, design/build phase, and final delivery. To start, families can complete a Request for Help form. Services are free, and volunteers will often travel to families where needed.
Kids Mental Health Foundation
Kids Mental Health Foundation is a national nonprofit focused on helping families understand and support their child’s mental health. Their site breaks down big topics like anxiety, behavior, trauma, and diagnosis in a way that’s meant for parents who are just trying to make sense of what’s going on.
They also talk about the impact of disabilities and medical conditions on mental health, which makes it a good fit for families like ours. You’ll find explanations of what different evaluations look like, what certain diagnoses might mean, and what kinds of supports are out there. There’s also a big section about grief and life changes, including how siblings are affected when one child has complex needs.
What’s helpful is that you don’t have to be in crisis to use this site. It’s built for parents who want to learn and do a little more. They also offer a free mental health check-in tool and a guide to finding help in your state.