Resources for Parents
Changes are underway. Please go to the JFS website for the most up-to-date information.
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.
Community Action Pathways HUB
- A ride to your doctor’s appointment?
- Baby items like a crib or diapers?
- Help with your other children?
- A doctor’s care?
- A medical card?
- Social Service resources?
Suite B
Canton, OH 44714
Alliance City Health Department
- Immunizations
- WIC Supplemental Food Program
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic
- Tuberculosis Skin Testing
- HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing
- Children with Medical Handicaps
- Cribs for Kids
- Car Seat Installation/Inspection Station
- Newborn Home Visitation Program
- Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
- Medicaid Enrollment Assistance
- SWAP (harm reduction program)
- Project Dawn (Naloxone program)
- Smokefree Workplace Program
- Food Safety
- Rabies Control
- School Safety
- Swimming Pools
- Lead Poisoning in Children
- Nuisances
- Housing
- Plumbing
- Mosquito Control
Alliance, OH 44601
Canton City Health Department
- Programs:
- Request Narcan Kit via mail by submitting form here.
- WIC
- Effective March 16, Canton City WIC services are by APPOINTMENT ONLY. Click here for details. **At this time, infants and children do not need to be present in our office when staff issue food benefits to your WIC Card.*
- Temporary Location: 128 Wertz Ave. NW, Suite B, Canton, OH 44708
- Nursing Division
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Clinic
- Childhood Immunization Clinic
- International Travel Clinic
- THRIVE
- Pregnant? Caring for a child under age 1? Stark County THRIVE Community Health Workers can help you connect to local services and items to keep you, your baby, and family healthy! Stark County THRIVE is still accepting clients. If you are pregnant or have a child under age 1, please fill out our online THRIVE Referral Form. You will be contacted by a Community Health Worker who will assist you with connections to services that meet your specific needs. All face-to-face visits will resume once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
- Project SWAP
- Helping to curb the spread of HIV, hepatitis C and other blood-borne infections. More information here.
- NEW Location: 832 McKinley Ave. NW, Suite B, Canton, OH 44703
- Vital Statistics
- Our lobby is open to walk-in customers. Hours of operation are 8:00AM - 4:30PM Monday through Friday. Closed weekends, official holidays and other posted times.
North Canton, OH 44702
Massillon City Health Department
- Preventing communicable diseases
- Reducing pollution
- Health education programs
- Pest control
- WIC: Nutrition education program that provides nutritious foods that promote good health for pregnant women, women who just had a baby, breastfeeding moms and infants and children up to age five (5)
- Pop-up food pantry: On the third Tuesday of each month from 12-2pm
Massillon, OH 44646
Stark County Health Department
- Emergency preparedness
- Environmental health
- Overdose Prevention
- Car Seat Inspections
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) testing and treatment
- WIC - special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children
- Naloxone kits at the Stark County Health Department are available by appointment. If interested, please call (330) 493-9928.
- Adult & Children Immunizations
- Cribs For Kids And Safe Sleep Programs
North Canton, OH 44720
Alliance Pregnancy Center
- 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)*
Suite 102
Alliance, OH 44601
Community Action Pathways HUB
- A ride to your doctor’s appointment?
- Baby items like a crib or diapers?
- Help with your other children?
- A doctor’s care?
- A medical card?
- Social Service resources?
Suite B
Canton, OH 44714
Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank
Provides diaper and period supply support for individuals and families, including:
- Diapers + wipes
- Period supplies
- Adult incontinence briefs
Distributed through 32 Community Distribution Site Partners across Stark, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Wayne, Medina, Harrison, Summit, Belmont, and Holmes counties.
To find a Community Distribution Site Partner near you, visit the Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank website for locations and distribution details.
Canton, OH 44735
Jackson Bear Hugs
Stark County Health Department
- Emergency preparedness
- Environmental health
- Overdose Prevention
- Car Seat Inspections
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) testing and treatment
- WIC - special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children
- Naloxone kits at the Stark County Health Department are available by appointment. If interested, please call (330) 493-9928.
- Adult & Children Immunizations
- Cribs For Kids And Safe Sleep Programs
North Canton, OH 44720
Stark County Job & Family Services
Changes are underway. Please go to the JFS website for the most up-to-date information.
Stark County Job & Family Services supports the community by protecting, stabilizing, and strengthening individuals and families. Report child abuse: 330-455-KIDS / 1-800-233-5437- Cash assistance
- Food assistance
- Medicaid & Medical
- Non-emergency transportation - Transportation to and from Medicaid-qualified appointments, including doctor visits, dental visits, vision appointments and more.
- Child care services
- Work experience program - Program participants are matched with local businesses and organizations in exchange for public assistance benefits.
- Subsidized Employment Program (SEP) - Supports local employers by offsetting the costs of hiring and training new employees.
- Foster care & adoption
- Kinship care
- Child support services
- Project KARE
- Healthy Start - Medicaid-funded program providing basic medical coverage for pregnant women and children up to 19 years old.
- PRC Plan - providing short-term assistance to address an emergent need and help families retain and maintain employment.
Canton, OH 44702
The Pregnancy & Parenting Center
- Pregnancy testing
- Limited ultrasound
- STD testing
- First prenatal visit
- Community referrals
- Education and resources
- Post-abortion counseling
- Support Groups
Canton, OH 44708
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Canal Fulton Public Library
154 Market Street N.E.Canal Fulton, OH 44614-1196
Louisville Public Library
700 Lincoln AveLouisville, OH 44641
Rodman Public Library
Alliance, OH 44601
Massillon Public Library
208 Lincoln Way EastMassillon, OH 44646
Minerva Public Library
Minerva, OH 44657-1250
North Canton Public Library
North Canton, OH 44720
Stark Library
Canton, OH 44702
Canton Parks and Recreation
Canton, OH 44718
Stark Parks
Canton, OH 44708
Canton Museum of Art
Canton, OH 44702
Massillon Museum
- Admission is always free
- Offers free or low-cost classes, workshops, and events for all ages
- Sensory Room is available
Massillon, OH 44646
AHEAD, Inc.
Massillon, OH 44646
Early Childhood Education Alliance
Alliance, OH 44601
Early Childhood Resource Center (ECRC)
Canton, OH 44703
Family Empowerment Ministries, Inc.
- Diaper Days
- Infant mortality education and parent education
- Community food pantry
- Community Legal Aid
- Soul Food Sunday free community meal (first Sunday)
- 3rd grade after school reading program
- Line dancing class and other services as scheduled
Alliance, OH 44601
Help Me Grow-Early Intervention
- Once the family is assigned to an early intervention provider, that provider will walk the family through the eligibility process and determine the next steps.
- If a child is eligible for services, the family and service coordinator will develop a plan to support the family on their journey to help their child get their best possible start in life.
- Parents and families are the center of a child’s development. That’s why service coordinators and other service providers work closely with the family to help build their skills and confidence in supporting their child and to help them navigate the journey with their child.
North Canton, OH 44720
Help Me Grow-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.
North Canton, OH 44720
La Leche League of Canton
Canton, OH 44718
MentorStark
Parents Anonymous
Canton, OH 44708
Pathway Caring for Children
- Transitional age services
- Individual or group therapy
- Family empowerment support
- Case management
Suite A
Canton, OH 44718
Stark Library
Canton, OH 44702
Stark County Fatherhood Coalition
Canton, OH 44702
Stark County Family Council
North Canton, OH 44720
The Pregnancy & Parenting Center
- Pregnancy testing
- Limited ultrasound
- STD testing
- First prenatal visit
- Community referrals
- Education and resources
- Post-abortion counseling
- Support Groups
Canton, OH 44708
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.