Here's what we found for you

A Major Unusual Incident (MUI) is an event that negatively impacts the health, safety or wellbeing of an individual with developmental disabilities. If you or someone you know is experiencing a major unusual incident, call the 24-hour hotline to report the event.

GiGi’s Playhouse Canton is fulfilling the dream of the Down syndrome community of having a location where individuals with Down syndrome of all ages have a place to call their own, where they feel safe and can explore their abilities through proven programs with support and celebration. Parents no longer feel the anxiety of finding a place where their loved one will be unconditionally accepted and offered opportunity to become their best of all.

IDEA House is a K-12 year-round, private, faith-based school for children with Autism located in Canal Fulton.

Shared services provided by the Stark County ESC include special education and pre-school classes, psychologists and other related service providers, curriculum development and supervision, and professional development.  The Stark County ESC serves as the fiscal agent for Help Me Grow, CARE Teams, the Stark/Portage Area Computer Consortium, Stark County Family Council, Stark County Schools’ Council of Governments and State Support Team 9.

The Canton Social Security office provides residents with services and information on social security benefits. Learn about what benefits you may be eligible for, get new or replacement cards, update your personal information, and more.

Help children and families realize the possibilities of their lives through foster care, adoption, and mental health.

Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities (Direction Home Akron Canton) is a private, non-profit organization that connects older adults and people with disabilities with programs and resources that can help them thrive in the places they call home.

Connecting people to housing, mental health services and community support in Stark County, Ohio.

Need help? Click here for first steps.

ASGA is the premier resource for adapted community events, advocacy, education, information and referral, and support for our local Autism community in Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Wayne counties.

• Safeguards the progress our society has made in awareness of the Autism community.
• Promotes greater acceptance of and higher quality of life for every member of our community.

HUD subsidized income based housing; does not accept Section 8 vouchers. Head of household must be disabled.

Helping to support Ohioans with disabilities as they achieve quality employment and independence:

• Customized employment plans
• Education
• Social Security disability determination

Start a search for waiver-funded service providers offering transportation, housing, day services and more.

Income based housing; does not accept Section 8 vouchers. 

Residents must be 62 years of age or older and/or disabled.

Individualized education program for children with Autism and other developmental disabilities.

Social, recreational and educational opportunities for people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities.

Dedicated child care facility for children with autism, down syndrome or other disabilities.

Bringing people with developmental disabilities together to set the stage for an active and social life.

Provides food donations to individuals who are homebound due to age, illness or disability, with no eligibility requirements.

Respite care is available to support elderly and disabled adults and their caregivers. This includes temporary care, part-time care, and support care.

A statewide nonprofit organization that serves families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities in Ohio, educators and agencies who provide services to them.

Public transportation through 34 fixed routes and four transit centers. Special programs are available for students, Medicaid recipients and individuals with developmental disabilities.

Income based housing; does not accept Section 8 vouchers. 

Residents must be over the age of 63, handicapped and/or disabled.

All units are handicapped accessible.

Helping to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities to become independent, well-rounded, self-confident individuals through:

• Equine activities
• Recreational programs
• Social services
• Vocational support

YWCA Canton is an organization that works to support programs that aim to build communities where children can be healthy and successful, and where families are supported on their journey to financial independence.

Check out some of the services YWCA Canton provides:

• Provides emergency shelter to the homeless and tools to help them get back on their feet and become self-sufficient.
• Offers early care and education services to children that enhance their development and prepare them to be successful as they transition to kindergarten.

Promotes successful aging by providing programs that support older adults who wish to age in place and live independently with dignity.

Coordinates help for children and families between the hundreds of child and family service organizations that specialize in specific needs across Stark County.

Each of these organizations focus on single issues, such as mental health, developmental disabilities, education, substance abuse, child welfare, juvenile justice, etcetera. While each agency functions independently, many of them are serving the same families and deal with similar issues.

We help communities in Northern Ohio prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. We are able to make a difference in our local communities because of the generosity of our donors and support of our volunteers. Together, we provide the following programs and services:

• Disaster Services
• Volunteer Services
• Blood Donation Services
• Lifesaving Skills Training
• Military or Veterans Assistance (mental health counseling, emergency assistance and job services)
• Home Fire Campaign

The Stark County Homeless Hotline is intended for individuals or families without a place to stay that night. Referring individuals or families who already have a place to stay for the night will only prolong wait times for those who urgently need shelter.

They also refer eligible callers to appropriate shelters and other programs for households that meet the HUD definition of literally homeless after conducting an eligibility interview Monday – Friday 7am to 5:30 pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm (except holidays).

24/7 Phone #’s

• Call or text: 988
• Chat on website: www.988lifeline.org
• Or call: 330-452-6000
  • Press 1 for Veterans support or 2 for Spanish-speaking.

Committed to empowering children, individuals and families to restore them to lives of stability, self-sufficiency and enhancement.

Services include:

• Permanent Supportive Housing
• Emergency Shelter
• Rapid-Rehousing
• Parenting program
• Pregnancy & Maternal Health