Neighborhood Social Services

The Columbus CARE Coalition is a collaborative effort to address community trauma and uplift resiliency. The CARE Coalition provides support to communities and families after trauma, educational programs, and community based groups. The CARE Coalition includes more than 300 community partners and has five working groups.

Call the Columbus CARE Coalition at 614-645-6248.

Columbus Public Health’s Neighborhood Social Work Team addresses the social determinants of health that impact residents’ health and wellness, including housing, food access and transportation. Through a process of brief case management, staff works to assess needs, make connections to resources, and advocate for clients. Neighborhood Social Work accepts referrals from various partners, holds open hours at several community locations, and operates a 24 hour voicemail line for anyone needing assistance with community resources.

Call the Social Work Help Line at 614-645-6807 or email health@columbus.gov.

Find local health resource lists. 

The Right Response Unit embeds social workers in the 911 call center to address callers with mental health needs. Social workers help problem solve, connect callers to community resources and ongoing mental health services, and provide emotional support to callers while working closely with dispatchers. In 2021, 60% of calls taken by the Right Response Unit did not require a police response and were resolved by working with the social work team.

Mobile Crisis Response and Community Teams offer support directly in the community following a 911 call. They provide in-person assessment and intervention to address a person’s unique needs while in crisis.

The Linden Anti-Violence Team works to provide outreach, intervention and wrap around services to those at risk for violence.

The Violent Crime Review Group reviews violent crimes and convenes City of Columbus partners to coordinate a response of City services after violent crimes. The group also communicates and collaborates on neighborhood needs following violent crimes, including environmental, enforcement and emotional support.

ReRoute provides wrap around services for at risk adolescents ages 13-21. Trauma-focused services will be provided to support healing and resiliency for youth and families in the community-based setting through intensive outreach and support.

Make a referral to the ReRoute program.

For questions regarding ReRoute referrals, contact ReRoute at 614-645-8322.

Storing a gun and ammunition properly protects others from injury and keeps weapons out of the hands of children and others who shouldn’t have them. Columbus Public Health provides free gun safes and lock boxes to our residents. Contact Corey L. Ball at 614-745-9454 to learn how you can receive a free gun safe/lock box today.