Help can come in many forms.
Whether it comes from us or from one of our trusted resources, you have options.
If it’s a life-threatening emergency, CALL 911.
If it’s a life-threatening emergency, CALL 911.
COVID-19 Resource and Information List
Here is a list of available resources and information to help you and your family through Ohio's Stay at Home order.
- COVID-19 Information: From Columbus Public Health, a fact sheet with info on how to stay healthy, and what to do if you are feeling sick. You can also visit the City of Columbus website for more information.
- Transportation: COTA is currently suspending all fares during this time. Visit their website for a listing of line and service changes.
- Equitas Health: Follow the link for information on telehealth options, what to do if you are sick, and other resource options.
- Food:
- Mid-Ohio Foodbank: is providing food to anyone who needs it. Please visit their website for pantry hours and instructions on how to receive your food boxes.
- Columbus City Schools is offering free meals: Breakfast and Lunch is available for those 18 and younger. Follow the link for locations.
- Language Support: www.staysafeccs.org - the entire StaySafeCCS webpage can be translated by clicking on the desired language in the top left corner of the site, then clicking ‘COVID-19’ from the red horizontal menu bar. There are videos on the page demonstrating how to access the various CCS resources.
- Housing:
- Star House: Visit their website for updates on programs and services.
- Huckleberry House: Visit their website for updates on program and services.
- Internet Access: Community partners are offering free internet access to families, for a limited time. The information below is based on news reports from the companies:
- Spectrum/Charter Communications: Families without internet will be able to get the service at no cost for 60 days from Charter Communications/Spectrum. Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. The service won't be free after 60 days. Customers will have to notify the company to cancel the service to avoid regular pricing. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
Comcast/Xfinity: New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month. Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. That increase will go into effect for no additional fee and it will become the new base speed for the program going forward. The company also shared that it will not disconnect a customer’s internet service or assess late fees if they contact the company that they can’t pay their bills during this period. To sign up, applicants can visit www.internetessentials.com or call 855-846-8376 for English and 855-765-6995 for Spanish. - AT&T Mobile: added 15GB of mobile hotspot data a month that can be used for tethering to a Chromebook or laptop.
- Spectrum/Charter Communications: Families without internet will be able to get the service at no cost for 60 days from Charter Communications/Spectrum. Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. The service won't be free after 60 days. Customers will have to notify the company to cancel the service to avoid regular pricing. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
- Jobs: Both essential businesses and current job seekers can visit the OhioMeansJobs website.
- Sexual Health: Equitas Health and Columbus Public Health released tips on how to practice safe sex and avoid spreading COVID-19.
- Census2020: Support your community by taking part in the 2020 census, which is used to determine your local representatives and allocations for funding opportunities in the community.
I need someone to talk to about how I'm feeling.
MENTAL HEALTH
When things seem heavy, scary, or confusing, it's okay to feel what you're feeling. And it's okay to reach out for help at any point. If you're feeling suicidal, please call 9-1-1.
- Trevor Project (Call, Text, or Chat): For queer youth struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or needing a judgement-free space to talk: 1-866-488-7386
- Trans Lifeline: Peer support hotline ran by and for trans people: 877-565-8860
- Franklin County Youth Psychiatric Crisis Line (for ages 17 and under): 614-722-1800
- NetCare: standardized risk assessment and stabilization of youth at the least restrictive level of care: (614) 276-CARE (2273)
- Southeast: mental health, alcohol & drug counseling services: (614) 225-0990
I need a place to stay.
Emergency Shelter Options
- Huckleberry House: A safe place for youth (12-17) to stay when they have runaway or are experiencing a crisis. 24-hour hotline: (614) 294-5553
- Star House: Offers food, shower, laundry, and a respite from the streets for youth 24/7. (614) 826-5868
- Hands On Central Ohio: A centralized intake system for families and adults currently experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless. (888) 474-3587
- YWCA Family Center: Provides emergency shelter and critical services to stabilize homeless families. (614) 224-9121
KYC Housing Options:
- Rapid Re-Housing: A program that helps young people, 18 - 24, prevent or quickly exit homelessness and enter into safe, stable housing. Assistance is offered without preconditions; and resources and services provided are responsive to unique individual needs.
- Host Home Network: Volunteers from the community open up their homes and provide housing opportunities for young folx. Queer youth are find safer, affirming homes where they also receive case management support from KYC.
- Supportive Co-Housing: A supportive intentional living space designed to meet the needs of homeless or housing insecure young people. Renovations to our Carriage House are underway for this innovative project, which will be the first of its kind in Central OH.
I need something to eat.
FOOD AND NUTRITION
- Mid-Ohio Food Bank: Emergency food sites in Franklin County can be found by calling 2-1-1. Please click the link to find food sites in other counties,
- Ohio Department of Job & Family Services: Provides benefits and nutrition programs.
I need gender affirming resources.
Binders and Gaffs
- KYC's Gender Affirmation Project (GAP): We are currently able to provide FREE binders and gaffs to young people up to age 24.
I need something else.
Child Abuse & Neglect
- Franklin County Children's Services: Investigation of child abuse complaints and services to victims of child abuse. 24/7 child abuse hotline: (614) 229-7000
Domestic/Relationship Violence
- CHOICES: Services for victims of domestic violence including legal support, temporary shelter, counseling and a 24/7 hotline. (614) 224-HOME
- Center for Family Safety & Healing: Programming and services to address child abuse & neglect, teen dating abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse. (614) 722-8200
- BRAVO: support for survivors of interpersonal violence. (866) 86-BRAVO
Legal Support
- The Legal Clinic at Equality Ohio: Offers many free legal services, like consumer law (such as fraud and identity theft), family law, civil rights, administrative help (such as SSI or disability) and more. In order to access the legal clinic, your income must be within 300% of the federal poverty level. (855) 542-8529
- TransOhio: Provides free clinics to help change legal name and gender markers. (614) 441-8167
Minor Sex Trafficking/Survival Sex
- Gracehaven: Provides services for sexually exploited minors. (614) 302-9515
Sexual Abuse/Rape/Incest
Sexual Health
- Equitas Health: Offers a medical center, pharmacy, testing & an HIV/STD hotline. (800) 332-2437
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation: HIV medical care with access to specialists, medications and other services. (614) 223-1532
- MOZAIC: Offers community building, sexual health education, free HIV/STI testing, and safe sex supplies for transgender and gender non-binary people of color. 614-572-0820
- Columbus Public Health: Provides STI prevention education, testing, diagnosis and treatment. (614) 645-7772
- Planned Parenthood: Ten local centers providing sexual health information and services. (614) 222-3604
- Out of the Closet: Free HIV/STI testing. (614) 291-2680
Substance Abuse
- NetCare: Standardized risk assessment and stabilization of youth at the least restrictive level of care. (614) 276-CARE (2273)
- Southeast: Mental health, alcohol & drug counseling services. (614) 225-0990
- Maryhaven: Treatment for alcohol &other drug dependencies, as well as mental health needs, in residential and outpatient settings. (614) 445-8131
- Affirmations: Offers a broad range of psychotherapy. Many types of insurance accepted. (614) 445-8277
