Local Resources

Advocacy 

  • Arc of Ohio: The mission of The Arc of Ohio is to advocate for human rights, personal dignity and community participation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, through legislative and social action, information and education, local chapter support and family involvement.
  • Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. 
  • Disability Rights Ohio: Disability Rights Ohio is a non-profit corporation with a mission to advocate for the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio. 
  • Governmental Benefits Planning for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: Adults with developmental disabilities often qualify for governmental supports such as SSI, Medicaid, Medicare, and other benefits. Please watch this Sept. 22, 2022, Zoom webinar to listen to Trey Bennett of Stark & Knoll County explain these benefits and how to secure them.
  • Make-A-Wish Foundation - Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana: Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish® vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.
  • Tuscarawas County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force: Child Advocacy Center 330.364.2777.
  • Tuscarawas County Family & Children First Council (FCFC): We are a group of parent representatives and public and private agencies who believe that children and families are our county’s most valuable resource. As a partnership of state and local government, agencies, communities, and families, we strive to enhance the well-being of our county’s children and families by building community capacity, coordinating systems and services, and engaging and empowering families.

Support and Groups

Education, Training, Research

Health

  • Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps: This program through Tuscarawas County Health Department links families and children with special health care needs to a network of quality providers and helps families obtain payment for the services their child needs. This program serves birth to 21-year-olds who are permanent residents of Ohio, under the care of a BCMH approved doctor, and have chronic medical condition. Call 330-343-5555 ext.169 for more information.
  • Count the Kicks: This public awareness campaign of counting your baby’s movements during the third trimester is a great way for expecting moms to get to know their baby and can alert them to potential problems. 
  • Crisis Text Line: By texting 4HOPE, anyone in crisis can connect with a trained crisis counselor anytime. This free support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Help me Grow: A voluntary family support program for pregnant women or new parents. 330.343.8171.
  • OhioGuidestone (formerly PFCS): Since 1970, Personal and Family Counseling Services (PFCS) has been helping individuals and families by providing counseling, support, advocacy and education, with a focus on prevention as well as treatment. Our services are available to all residents of Tuscarawas and Carroll counties.  
  • Rainbow Connection: Local Health Charity. 330.343.8686. 
  • SpringVale Health Centers (Formerly-Community Mental Healthcare): Formerly Community Mental Healthcare, Inc., SpringVale Health Centers has provided high-quality, person-centered health care services to Tuscarawas and Carroll counties for over 55 years.
  • Tuscarawas Clinic for the Working Uninsured: The Tuscarawas Clinic for the Working Uninsured is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in an effort to improve access to health care for working, uninsured adults who live at or near the poverty level in Tuscarawas County. 330.364.1853.  
  • Tuscarawas County Health Department: The Tuscarawas County Health Department is dedicated to promoting healthy choices, preventing disease, and protecting the environment for all persons who live, work and play in our community. 330.343.5555. 

Grants and Legal

Housing

  • Home Choice Program: Home Choice is a waiver program that provides assistance for those transitioning from long-term facilities to home and community-based settings. If eligible, individuals could receive up to $2500 for qualified services to assist with their transition. For more information about Home Choice, contact Tuscarawas County Family & Children First at 330-343-2286.
  • Tuscarawas County Friends of the Homeless: The mission of the Friends of the Homeless of Tuscarawas County is to assist families and individuals in a faith-based environment to achieve stability, sobriety, and permanent housing.  330.602.6100 
  • Tuscarawas County Metropolitan Housing Authority (Metro): The Mission of TMHA is to assist eligible families with safe, decent, and affordable housing opportunities, without discrimination. 330.308.8099.  

Independent Living

  • Access Tusc: Your key to social service resources in Tuscarawas County, Ohio 
  • Harcatus: HARCATUS Tri-County C.A.O., Inc contracts with federal, state, and local governments and other groups to develop, manage, and deliver human and social services for the betterment of our communities.  Many of its programs, including Head Start, are designed to assist people in need to help themselves and to become self-sufficient. 330.343.8770.
  • Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD): The State of Ohio agency that partners with Ohioans with disabilities to achieve quality employment and independence. We also make determinations on Social Security disability. 
  • Society for Equal Access (S.E.A.): A consumer-controlled, cross-disability, private not-for-profit organization operated by individuals with disabilities for individuals with disabilities. Society for Equal Access currently provides services to residents of Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counties in Ohio. Our Mission is to assist individuals to become more independent within our community.

Community Events and Recreation

  • Dover Public Library
  • Norma Johnson Center: The Norma Johnson Center located outside of Dover, Ohio is a nature area open to the public every day of the year from dawn to dusk. The center includes a wheelchair-accessible fishing dock.
  • Red Treehouse: Supporting the well-being of Ohio’s families and children with challenges, disabilities, and health care needs. Find tools, organizations, and events in your community to meet your needs.
  • Soccer4All: Soccer4All is the Dover Soccer Association (DSA) league for children for physical and/or mental disability. 
  • Tuscarawas County Challenger Little League: Challenger is a division of Little League baseball that is available to players (ages 6 through high school) with physical and/or cognitive challenges or have an IEP (Individual Education Plan) through their school. When needed, players are paired with a buddy to assist with batting and/or fielding. Family members, friends, and other members of the community are encouraged to participate as well. The Tuscarawas County Challenger League is open to any player living in the Tuscarawas County and surrounding areas. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! For additional information on being a player, buddy, financial sponsor, or other supporter of the league, please contact: Jennifer Flaherty at flahertydover@aol.com. 
  • Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Tuscarawas County FANS Network: The Fans Network is an inclusive club supported by the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (TuscBDD). This club hosts activities and events in the community and online and unites people with and without disabilities. We invite all people to come make new friends and have fun at our free events.
  • Tuscarawas County Public Library
  • Tuscarawas County YMCA 
  • Tuscarawas Valley Farmer's Market: Open every Wednesday from June through October from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds in Dover. 
  • Wanake Camp & Retreat: For individuals with Moderate or Severe developmental disabilities who must have the ability to walk +1 mile throughout the course of a day. 

Resource Directories

Assistive technology (AT)

Products, equipment, and systems that enhance learning, working, and daily living for persons with disabilities. Discover more by visiting:

  • Abilitations: To engage and inspire, with everything from crayons to
    curriculum to complete learning environments.
  • Ablenet: AbleNet is a world leader in assistive technology, curriculum, and services to help individuals with disabilities lead productive and fulfilling lives.
  • American Printing House for the Blind: World’s largest nonprofit organization creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and visually impaired.
  • Don Johnsonston Human Learning Tools: We merge the best parts of technology with our experience and human learning expertise to build tools that transform the lives of people across all learning styles and abilities.
  • Forbes AAC: While our focus has always been communication devices, our products also include adaptive computer access, custom mounting solutions, environmental control systems and custom adaptive accessories.  
  • Logan Technology: Low to mid-tech augmentative and alternative communication products and accessories, iPad keyguards and cradles, device mounting systems, and Braille learning and Braille labeling systems. 
  • OCALI: OCALI informs public policy and develops and deploys practices grounded in linking research to real life.
  • Prentke Romich Company: PRC-Saltillo is a worldwide developer of speech-generating devices (SGDs), market-leading apps and several innovative augmentative and alternative communication language systems that enable individuals with complex communication disorders the ability to express themselves.
  • Robots4Autism: Robots4Autism integrates a variety of evidence based practices shown to improve social skills in students with autism (tools most of us are already using), packaged together in a highly systematic way, and delivered using Milo. Partnering a humanoid robot with a social and emotional curriculum provides a tool for evidence based practices to “unpack” social skills for students with autism.
  • Saltillo Corporation: We are committed to providing helpful solutions for people with adaptive living needs. The ability to communicate results in less frustration, greater personal growth, and increased self-esteem. At Saltillo, we strive to provide the most effective assistive technology products along with comprehensive support and service.
  • Tobii/Dynavox World leader in eye tracking. With eye tracking as a base, Tobii creates the conditions for new insights into human behavior and intuitive user interfaces.

Tuscarawas County Resource Guide Guía de recursos del condado de Tuscarawas (español)