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.

Mid East Ohio Regional Council (MEORC): MEORC exists to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Ohio Association of County Boards: Supports County Boards of Developmental Disabilities in providing services and supports to individuals with disabilities.

Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council: A planning and advocacy body committed to community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.

Tuscarawas County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force: Information about human trafficking in Tuscarawas County and how to be aware of the signs.

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.

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Support and Groups

(988) National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Dial 988 from any phone: At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.

Alzheimer and Brain Injury Support Group: Support groups for patients, family members or caregivers. Hosted by Union Hospital.

ASPIES of Greater Akron: ASPIES Mission is to enhance the lives of children and adults with Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, PDD/NOS and other spectrum disorders.

Assistive Technology of Ohio is Ohio's A.T. Act Program: AT Ohio's mission is to help Ohioans with disabilities learn about or acquire assistive technology.

Autism Acceptance for Parents of Tuscarawas County Ohio - Facebook page: A private support group. We are a group of parents of children with developmental disabilities in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. This group has been formed to facilitate relationships, support, and educate.

Carroll County Survivors of Suicide Support Groups: List of support groups offered in Carroll County.

Community Hospice Children's Camp: Offers support and guidance to children through education on grief and loss and normalizing emotions and experiences.

Community Hospice Grief Support Groups: Offers a variety of support services provided by licensed social workers and counselors.

Compass: Sexual assault education, prevention, and support.

LaceyPac AMC family support group: Activity Center for Children & Adults with Special Needs. Where fun, fitness, and friendship come together to help every individual thrive!

Lending Libraries: 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.

Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD): Oversees a statewide system of services that supports over 100,000 people with developmental disabilities, their families, and support teams. DODD focuses on the health and safety of people with developmental disabilities and increasing access and opportunities for community participation and integration.

Ohio Family to Family: The Ohio Family to Family (Ohio F2F) Information Center helps families of children with disabilities and special health care needs navigate the health care system and find answers to their questions.

OhioKAN for kinship/adoptive families: OhioKAN is a 100% free service for Ohio's kinship and adoptive families.

OhioRISE- Medicaid mental health program for youth: OhioRISE, the new specialized Ohio Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystems needs.

Tuscarawas County Senior Center: Dedicated exclusively to serving the needs of older adults 50 years of age and older living in Tuscarawas County.

Tuscarawas County Survivors of Suicide Support Groups: List of support groups offered in Tuscarawas County.

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Education, Training, Research

Case Western Reserve University - Program For Autism Education and Research: Over the past several years, basic researchers and clinicians in major Cleveland institutions have united to form the Program for Autism Education and Research (PAER), in collaboration with major community partners, garnering over $5 million for new research into Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

East Central Ohio Educational Service Center: ECOESC partners with local school districts across East Central Ohio to deliver innovative programs, professional development, and cost-effective support services.

Milestones Autism Resources (Cleveland): Milestones Autism Resources helps individuals with autism reach their unique potential. We focus on educating and coaching for family members and professionals in evidence-based practical strategies.

Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI): Informing public policy and developing and deploying best practices - linking research to real life - so that people with disabilities have the opportunity to live their best lives for their whole lives.

Ohio DODD Training: A new service designed specifically to offer training opportunities to DD professionals.

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Health

Better You, Better Ohio! Health and Wellness Program: A free program that offers resources to support the well-being of workers who work for small employers (250 or fewer workers) in high-risk industries.

CMH-Complex Medical Help Program: CMH, the Complex Medical Help Program, is a health care program in the Ohio Department of Health. CMH links families of children with special needs to a network of quality providers and helps families obtain payment for the services their child needs.

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.

Flu Information: Learn about identifying flu symptoms, how the diagnosis works, common complications, and more.

Help me Grow: A voluntary family support program for pregnant women or new parents.

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.

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.

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.

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Grants and Legal

Hickman & Lowder Co. LPA Attorneys at Law: Specialize in guardianship and other DD issues, (located in Cleveland).

Legal aid (formerly Southeast Ohio Legal Services/SEOLS): Free Legal Help in Southeast and Central Ohio. The mission of Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO) is to provide civil legal aid and advocacy to overcome unfairness and injustice to reduce poverty and increase opportunity. LASCO offers free noncriminal legal help for people with low incomes, veterans, and seniors in 36 counties.

Ruth Carlson Starlight Foundation: It is the mission of the Ruth Carlson Starlight Foundation (RCSF) to support residents of Tuscarawas County with developmental disabilities and entities that partner with these individuals to live a healthy and full life.

Tuscarawas County Public Defenders Office: Agency of attorneys who are assigned to represent indigent people who are accused of criminal acts in Tuscarawas County and who cannot afford to hire an attorney. Every public defender in our office is an attorney who has graduated from an accredited law school, passed the Ohio bar exam and is licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio by the Ohio Supreme Court.

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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.

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.

Tuscarawas County Metropolitan Housing Authority (Metro): The Mission of TMHA is to assist eligible families with safe, decent, and affordable housing opportunities, without discrimination.

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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.

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.

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Community Events and Recreation

Dover Public Library: The official website of the 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.

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: Keep up to date with events or plan your stay by learning about everything there is to see in Tuscarawas County.

Tuscarawas County Public Library: The official website of the Tuscarawas County Public Library.

Tuscarawas County YMCA: The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through
youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

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.

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Resource Directories

Electronic Sex Offender Registry and Notification: A list of released sex offenders is available to all interested persons. Please stop by the Sheriff’s Office Lobby (Records Window) or contact us at 330-339-2000.

Guía de recursos del condado de Tuscarawas (español): Directorio integral de servicios para familias locales.

Tuscarawas County Resource Guide (English): Comprehensive directory of services for local families.

United Way of Tuscarawas County 211: Looking for information about services in Tuscarawas County? Visit the United Way of Tuscarawas County’s website for their 2-1-1 Resource Directory.

Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities: Looking for information to help families of children with disabilities find resources? Check out Wrightslaw’s Yellow Pages for Kids.

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