Resources for Families

A list of helpful resource for Families supporting their loved ones across the lifespan.

County Board & State

  • Advocacy Learn more about speaking up and making informed decisions.

    Employment Learn more about services available to assist you with exploring employment that fits your unique interests, strengths, and skills.

    Know Your Knox A monthly newsletter with a list of upcoming events, activities, and classes in Knox County.

    Learning Library A catalogue of recorded presentations for families and providers to learn more about resources and supports available to them.

    Providers Learn more about what it means to be an independent provider or work for a provider agency in Knox County.

  • Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) oversees a statewide system of supportive services that focus on ensuring health and safety, supporting access to community participation, and increasing opportunities for meaningful employment.

    DODD Family Advisory Council A forum for DODD to hear directly from family members about the issues that affect their lives and provides the opportunity to learn more about the department's current initiatives from executive staff.

    DODD Newsletter Subscribe Subscribe to newsletters from DODD to receive updates on policies and resources.

    DODD Technology 1st Initiative A state-wide initiative to ensure technology is considered as part of all service and support plans for people with disabilities.

    DODD Supporting Families Featured resources and supports for families.

    Ohio Department of Medicaid

    Social Security Administration

Resources by Category

  • Area Agency on Aging Programs for all ages and income levels; however, we specialize in services and programs for older adults and anyone with disabilities.

    Ohio Department of Aging The Ohio Department of Aging offers resources for older Ohioans, caregivers, and professionals in the aging network.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act Disability rights are civil rights. From voting to parking, the ADA is a law that protects people with disabilities in many areas of public life.

    Disability Rights Ohio Disability Rights Ohio is a non-profit corporation with a mission to advocate for an equitable Ohio for people with disabilities

    Interacting with Police Plain Language Guide created by the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCCEDD).

    Voters with Disabilities information provided by the Ohio Secretary of State.

  • Help Me Grow Home Visiting A voluntary, home-based program offered at not cost to families that offers information and support.

    Learn the Signs. Act Early Track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.

    OCALI Center for the Young Child Giving young children with disabilities a strong start through informing policy, creating and sharing resources, and providing training for families with children ages 0-8.

    Ohio Early Intervention A statewide system that provides coordinated services to parents of infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays in Ohio.

    Zero to Three To ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. ZERO TO THREE provides programing and resources to families and their partner organizations.

  • Learning Aid Ohio A statewide initiative to provide in-person, supplemental learning support for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.

    OCALI Transition Planning and the IEP Resource page with documents and links to help with planning end of school transitions.

    Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) A statewide nonprofit organization that serves families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities in Ohio.

    Ohio Dept. of Edu – Special Education Resources for Families The Individual Education Plan (IEP) evaluation roadmap guide.

  • Alphabet Soup: A Guide to Disability Related Acronyms Individuals and their family members hear and read many acronyms that are used by professionals in the disability community. "Alphabet Soup" provides an glossary of disability-related acronyms and their meanings.

    Arc of Ohio The Arc of Ohio advocates for human rights, personal dignity and community participation of individuals with developmental disabilities.

    DODD Family Forum Group The DODD Family Forum is a group where Ohio families can talk about resources, programs, and ideas that their family uses to successfully support someone with a disability.

    Family Resource Network of Ohio (FRNO) FRNO believes in families supporting families, empowering families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Ohio by providing various types of resources.

    Fathering in 15: Supporting Ohio Fathers An interactive, online tool that helps fathers build their skills anytime, anywhere. The resource takes dads through 15 interactive, engaging topics, each in 15 minutes.

    OCALI Family and Community Outreach Center The Family and Community Outreach Center equips and empowers families with knowledge, information, and resources.

    Ohio SIBS Ohio SIBS supports siblings of people with disabilities throughout the lifespan by connecting them to resources and the sibling community.

    Parent 2 Parent Ohio Parent to Parent (Ohio P2P) is a statewide parent support program.

    Triple P - Positive Parting Program Triple P has practical and simple strategies to help parents manage behavior, build strong family relationships and enjoy parenting more.

  • Estate and Future Planning Booklet This booklet offers a brief, non-legalistic overview of estate planning options or people with disabilities and their families in Ohio.

    Guardianship in Ohio Booklet This booklet was written for families who have a child with a developmental disability but may be relevant for others who need to navigate the often confusing and intimidating world of probate court and guardianship.

    Representative Payee Booklet This handbook provides needed information that is hard to find elsewhere. The authors wrote the handbook by gathering information from resources offered by the Social Security Administration, other professionals, and their experience working with their clients.

    STABLE Account STABLE accounts allow you to save and invest money without losing eligibility for certain public benefits programs, like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Earnings in your STABLE account are not subject to federal income tax, so long as you spend them on qualified disability expenses.

    Supported Decision Making A Decision Making Support where people choose trusted friends, family members, and professionals to help them uderstand the situations and choices they face, so they may make their own decisions.

  • Assisted Living options for Seniors and People with Disabilities AssistedLiving.com compiles comprehensive research, studies, and insight into easy to understand, guides and resources.

    Residential Options Pamphlet The Residential Options Pamphlet was created to help people understand their options around waiver services and intermediate care facilities

  • 2-1-1 A simple, easy-to-remember number to connect you to all the help and information you need about local social, human and governmental services.

    Food Map A tool to locate food options within the county. Included on the map are the following resource locations: community gardens, Edible Knox planters, hot meals, SNAP/WIC accepting farmers markets and retailers.

    Harmony Playground A fully inclusive playground for all children to play together in Mt. Vernon.

    Knox Area Transit (KAT) The public transportation provider for Knox County.

    Knox County Family and Children First Council (FCFC) A partnership of government and community agencies to streamline and coordinate existing publicly funded services to help families seeking assistance for their children.

    Knox County Hospice providing palliative, hospice, and bereavement care to Knox County.

    Knox County Special Olympics A locally run sports program that is overseen by Special Olympics Ohio, National and International organizations. We currently offer bowling, bocce, track and field, powerlifting, and basketball (individual skills).

    Knox Job and Family Services Services include public assistance, child support, children and family services, and workforce development.

    Knox Substance Abuse Action Team (KSAAT) A coalition of community members dedicated to reducing alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse among youth and adults in Knox County, Ohio.

    Public Library of Mount Vernon & Knox County PALS Program Sensory bags ready for patrons to take home and try.

    Station Break A designated county agency that advocates, promotes and implements services appropriate to meet the needs of the 60 plus population in Knox County, Ohio

  • Bridging Apps Bridging apps shares information and reviews on apps and mobile devices for the disability community.

    Assistive Technology of Ohio Lending Library, refurbished computers, and additional technology programs.

    Ohio Tech Ambassadors The Ohio Tech Ambassador Networks shows how Supportive Technology, can enhance the lives and foster independence for people with developmental disabilities.

    Technology Lending Library Map Lending libraries are helpful for people with disabilities to try out different technology based on their needs before purchasing equipment, such as medical equipment or adaptive toys. Many programs offer lending services for free.

  • Mid-East Ohio Regional Council (MEORC)

    Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB)

    Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (Ohio DD Council)

    Ohio Network for Innovation (ONI)

    Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA) - Project Stir

    People First

    Provider Guide Plus

Diagnosis Specific Resources