Resources for parents

Nothing prepares you for parenthood. Parenting has been called the ultimate long-term investment. It’s one of the most complex and challenging jobs you’ll face in your lifetime – and also the most rewarding. Find local resources to help you navigate parenthood in Stark County.

Parenting help

Help Me Grow-Home Visiting

Home Visiting is a voluntary, home-based program offered at no cost to your family.  Our home visitors are well-trained professionals who use a compassionate approach that offers information and support during pregnancy, and empowers you as the parent with skills, tools, and confidence to nurture the healthy growth of your child through the earliest years – a critical time of development.
WHO SHOULD BE REFERRED?
Pregnant women and families with young children.Supporting first-time parents with home visiting services for children up to 3 years old
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
Once your family has been referred, you will be assigned a home visitor, who will provide caring support and reliable information on the topics that matter most to you about your pregnancy and child’s development. Whether it’s what you can do to strive for a healthy pregnancy; how to soothe your crying baby; how to manage sleep (yours included!); or how to deal with the stresses of parenting; your home visitor is there to help, listen to your concerns, and connect you to community resources based off of your needs. We invest in you to make your own decisions about what is best for you and your child.
BENEFITS OF HOME VISITING
Healthy birth outcomes - Pregnant women who participated in Home Visiting had 48 percent fewer low birth weight babies. Source.
Increasing children’s school readiness - Children who participated in Home Visiting scored 25 percent higher on first through third grade reading and math achievement tests. Source.
6057 Strip Ave NW
North Canton, OH 44720
Phone: 330-492-8136, ext. 1480

Stark County Job & Family Services: Children Services

Basic needs and protective services for Stark County children and families.
402 2nd St. SE
Canton, OH 44702
Toll Free: (888) 698-6893
Toll Free: (888) 698-6893
Local: (330) 451-8032
TDD: (330) 451-8879
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Mon.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tue.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wed.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thu.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fri.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Stark County THRIVE Pathways HUB

Connecting families with medical and social services to help prevent infant mortality and reduce disparities in birth outcomes.
Canton City Public Health
420 Market Avenue
North Canton, OH 44702
Phone: 234-410-3087

United Way of Greater Stark County

Pregnancy support

Alliance Pregnancy Center

These confidential, cost-free services include:
  • Abortion Information
  • Adoption Agency Referrals
  • Adoption Information
  • Maternity & Infant Supplies
  • Medical Referrals
  • Parenting Education
  • Post-Abortion Support
  • Pregnancy Options Information
  • Pregnancy Tests
  • STD/STI Information
  • Support for Men
  • Ultrasound (Onsite)*
75 Glamorgan St.
Suite 102
Alliance, OH 44601
Phone: (330) 821-7283

Loving Choice

Providing free, confidential help and guidance to parents considering placing their child for adoption.
625 Cleveland Ave. NW
Canton, OH 44702
Phone: (330) 994-1451

The Pregnancy & Parenting Center

Accurate, up-to-date information and pregnancy support:
  • Pregnancy testing
  • Limited ultrasound
  • STD testing
  • First prenatal visit
  • Community referrals
  • Education and resources
  • Post-abortion counseling
4500 22nd St. NW
Canton, OH 44708
Call: (330) 455-7500
Text: (330) 961-1772

Stark County THRIVE Pathways HUB

Connecting families with medical and social services to help prevent infant mortality and reduce disparities in birth outcomes.
Canton City Public Health
420 Market Avenue
North Canton, OH 44702
Phone: 234-410-3087
Child safety & support

Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health

Services to reduce risk factors and increase resiliency:
  • Case management
  • Diagnostic mental health assessments
  • Medication management
4641 Fulton Dr. NW
Canton, OH 44718
Phone: 330-433-6075

CommQuest

Provide collaborative care and advocacy for people through three pillars of service: Mental Health, Addiction Recovery, and Social Support. MENTAL HEALTH Mental Health Counseling Psychiatric Services Community Supportive Psychiatric Treatment Intensive Home-Based Treatment School-Based Mental Health Counseling Rape Crisis Program Supportive Employment ADDICTION RECOVERY Detox Addiction Counseling Residential Treatment Mom+Me Recovery Addiction Prevention Driver Intervention Program Medication-Assisted Treatment SOCIAL SUPPORT Next Level Employment Hot Meal Program Homeless Shelter Childhood Resiliency Friendship Center Financial Management Assistance
625 Cleveland Ave. NW
Canton, OH 44702
Phone: (330) 455-0374
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Ohio Guidestone

Providing counseling, support, advocacy and education with a focus on prevention and treatment.
401 Tuscarawas St. W
Canton, OH 44702
Phone: (440) 234-2006
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Mon.
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Tue.
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Wed.
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Thu.
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Fri.
8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Pathway Caring for Children

Helping families to build trusting and lasting relationships for a lifetime:
  • Individual or group therapy
  • Support groups
  • Case management
Pathway provides short-term relief (hourly, daily, or overnight) in a foster home or community setting for adoptive families who have a child with special needs. They also offer special workshops and training, support groups, and connection to resources for adoptive parents.
4895 Dressler Rd. NW
Suite A
Canton, OH 44718
Phone: (330) 493-0083

Stark County Family Council

Wraparound services for youth and families who have complex, multi-system needs. Visit their website for more information.
6057 Strip Ave NW
North Canton, OH 44720
Phone: 330-492-8136

Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery

Funding for mental health and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery support services. Visit their website for more information about StarkMHAR.
121 Cleveland Ave. SW
Canton, OH 44702
Phone: (330) 455-6644
Hide HoursShow Hours
Mon.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tue.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wed.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thu.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Stark County THRIVE Pathways HUB

Connecting families with medical and social services to help prevent infant mortality and reduce disparities in birth outcomes.
Canton City Public Health
420 Market Avenue
North Canton, OH 44702
Phone: 234-410-3087

Stark Community Support Network

Community safety net linking families to resources and social services.
1221 Harrisburg Rd. NE
Canton, OH 44705
Phone: (330) 455-2260
Helpful links

HealthyChildren.org

Tips, guidelines and resources for raising happy and healthy children.

Ohio Department of Education Parenting Guide

Resources to help guide a child’s education from preschool to graduation.

Ohio Department of Health Parents & Caregivers Guide

Information about pregnancy, mom and baby sleep habits, baby care, breastfeeding, health, physical development and more.

Parent Toolkit

One-stop resource developed with parents in mind.

Safe Kids Worldwide

Safety tips and information to help families and communities keep kids out of harm’s way.

Bold Beginning!

Access local resources for all things related to pregnancy and early childhood, including information about milestones and healthy beginnings.