Healthy Moms and Babies

Car seat safety checks and low-cost car seats for eligible families.

To be eligible, families must be Franklin County residents, receive government assistance (WIC, SNAP, CHIP, Medicaid, etc.), complete online education, and attend a scheduled appointment.

Call 614-645-7748 or visit columbus.gov/carseats to learn more. 

Columbus Public Health’s Home Visiting team teaches FREE childbirth and parenting classes where you can earn gift cards and baby supplies. (While supplies last.)

During the Childbirth and Baby Basics classes, you will learn about third trimester, stages of labor, birth and comfort techniques, newborn and postpartum care, and infant and child safety. The class is offered at different times and locations, so you can choose what works best for you.

The Co-Parenting group is a discussion-based class to talk about parental roles, your childhood and its impact on parenting, your impact on your child, and communication. Classes are open to couples, co-parents and single parents. Expecting parents and parents of school age children are also encouraged to join.

Support people are encouraged to attend. If child care or transportation is an issue, please let us know and we can try and find a solution.

Click here to sign up for classes.

Provides free portable cribs to eligible families and infant safe sleep education to reduce sleep-related infant deaths. Supplies are limited.

To be eligible, families must be at least 32 weeks pregnant or have a baby less than 12 months old without a safe crib and meet WIC income requirements (185% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines).

For more information, call 614-645-3111. 

Offers free, in-home, family-centered care coordination from registered nurses, social workers and outreach workers to promote healthy mothers, fathers, babies and families. Services increase the family’s access to health care and community resources, improve birth outcomes and provide education. Fatherhood support services also are available.

Click here to sign up for home visiting, or call 614-724-2229 to learn more.

Fatal drownings occur in neighborhood ponds every year, including Columbus, even though these ponds are not for swimming.

Ponds are dangerous and children are most at risk. 

• Ponds can be deep and have steep sides. They may also contain sludge, debris and contaminated water. 
• Curious children may not understand these hazards, and put themselves in danger of drowning near a pond. 
• Anyone can drown in a pond. Toddlers, young children and people with developmental concerns such as Autism are at highest risk. 

You can help your family stay safe. 

• Don't play around ponds, especially near the sides.
• Don't fish or swim in neighborhood ponds.
• Don't dump anything in ponds.
• Watch children closely.
• Talk to children about staying away from ponds.
• If the pond is frozen, stay off the ice. 

If you see someone fall in a pond, call 911.

If you think a pond in your neighborhood is dangerous, call 311 or submit a report online.

Provides supplemental food, breastfeeding support and nutrition education for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 in Franklin County.

Call 614-645-7280 to make an appointment.

Learn more about eligibility, locations and services.