Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities is a very helpful resource, 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.
Step one is still going through intake. After that, if your child is eligible, you are usually assigned a service coordinator. That person helps you understand what might be available and is also how you get into conversations about Medicaid waivers.
Ohio's developmental disabilities Medicaid waivers are home and community-based programs. The idea is to help people get support in their home and community instead of needing care in an institution or facility. There are a few different waiver types, and the services and funding rules are not the same for each one. The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has an overview of the different waivers and what they cover. A waiver can help pay for things like personal care or homemaker support, respite for caregivers, transportation, adaptive equipment or home modifications, employment supports, and other services that fit a person's plan. Your coordinator can explain which waiver might apply and what it can cover for your family. FCBDD's page on understanding Medicaid is a useful overview too.
Waivers are limited, so there is often a waiting list. Getting on that list still starts with FCBDD. Your coordinator helps with the assessments and paperwork. Being assessed or placed on a list does not mean a waiver is available right away. Timing depends on need, priority, and how many waivers open up.
One important piece for a lot of families: if someone is enrolled on a DD waiver, they can get Medicaid based on the person's disability and support needs, not just household income. If you already have private insurance through work, Medicaid can often sit as secondary coverage. Private insurance bills first, and Medicaid may help with remaining approved costs. That can matter a lot for kids with ongoing medical needs. Exact rules depend on the situation, so it is worth asking your coordinator.
County board services outside of a waiver can also help in other ways, like connecting families to community supports or helping with therapies, depending on what is approved. Every family's path looks different. If you live in Franklin County, this is worth asking about. 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.
ECRN+ (YMCA of Central Ohio)
Early Childhood Resource Network+ (ECRN+) is part of the YMCA of Central Ohio’s Youth and Community Services (sometimes called YCS). You will still see ECRN+ on their website and materials. It supports families of children with developmental delays, disabilities, or health care needs, from infancy through early childhood.
Services include early intervention (ages 0 to 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. Contact: (614) 389-3880. Headquarters: 1907 Leonard Ave, Columbus, OH 43219.
Wiggle Your Toes
Wiggle Your Toes is a resource created by and for amputees to help others navigate life after limb loss. The focus is practical tips and real-world advice from people who have been through it.
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.