Parent Support Licking County

11/03/2026

Ready to make mealtimes easier? Check out the FIRST COMMENT for class registration information and sign-up details!




Sign up here for the November 1

11/01/2026

10/29/2026

We had a visit this week from Hope the Emotional Support Dragon. This beautiful creature was crocheted after the loss of a loved one.💚

10/23/2026

💚 It’s Friday. Let’s talk about mental health.

For some, Friday means celebrating the end of a long week. For others, it means finally having a moment to breathe after holding everything together for the last five days. And for some, the weekend can feel just as heavy as the week itself.

Wherever you find yourself today, here’s your reminder: You don’t have to pretend you’re okay just because it’s Friday.

If you’re going through a tough time, lean into the people who make you feel safe. Reach out. Have the hard conversation. Let someone sit with you in the uncomfortable moments. You don’t have to carry everything on your own.

And please remember this: Don’t let someone else convince you that what you’re going through isn’t hard.

Sometimes things just hurt. Sometimes life feels unfair. Sometimes you can be grateful for what you have and still struggle with what you’re facing. Two things can be true at once.

You don’t need to justify your pain, compare it to someone else’s, or explain why something is affecting you the way it is. You’re allowed to say, “This is hard for me right now.” And you’re allowed to ask for support.

Mental health isn’t about being strong every single day. Sometimes, strength looks like admitting you’re struggling and allowing someone else to help you through it.

As you head into the weekend, check on your people. Be gentle with yourself. Give others the same grace you hope they’ll give you.

You never know what someone is carrying beneath the surface. A little compassion can go a long way.💚

10/20/2026

New parents are tired — really tired — and that’s completely normal. In those exhausting early weeks, it can be hard to remember every safety step.
But safe sleep matters. Place your baby Alone, on their Back, in a Crib every time.
Little routines can make a big difference, especially when you’re running on very little sleep.

You’re doing an amazing job. Keep going — and keep your baby safe.

10/16/2026

Every child grows at their own pace, but when you have questions about your child’s development, Help Me Grow Early Intervention is here to help.

💬 Free support for families with children under age 3
🧠 Services for delays in walking, talking, or other milestones
📞 Anyone can make a referral to Ohio Early Intervention

If you have concerns about your child's development, call (800) 755-GROW or visit ohioearlyintervention.org to refer online.

10/16/2026

What do germs say on Halloween? 🍬Trick or sneeze! But seriously, we shouldn't let germs ruin the upcoming Halloween fun with runny noses and coughs. Back-to-school can cause illness for our students and teachers with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), a Streptococcal infection (Strep Throat), Pertussis (Whooping Cough), and much more. These diseases can spread easily around schools because of their congregate setting and the disease's ability to usually cause illness within days of exposure. However, we can take steps to protect ourselves and others by:

🎃 Washing hands, especially before and after eating, with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
🕷️ Using the appropriate disinfectant frequently on high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, tables/desks, and technology like keyboards.
👻Promptly see a doctor or provider when you are sick for a diagnosis and proper treatment.
🐈‍⬛ Stay home when sick! Return to school criteria can vary by disease and the schools' policy, but as a general rule, an individual can return if they have not had a fever with the use of fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours and are feeling better overall.

The Licking County Health Department monitors individual reportable diseases as well as outbreaks to help prevent further transmission of disease. You can stay up to date on communicable diseases in Licking County by navigating to our monthly report on our website here: https://lickingcohealth.org/community-health-assessment/.

10/16/2026

Positive childhood experiences lay the foundation for a brighter future! From exploring new interests to creating lasting memories, every joyful moment shapes a child's growth and development. Let’s cherish and nurture these precious experiences to build a world of opportunities and happiness for our kids.

10/10/2026

💚 Today is World Mental Health Day 2026!🌎🧠

Today, we recognize something that affects every one of us: our mental health.

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness, break down stigma, encourage open conversations, and remind people that mental health deserves the same attention, care, and compassion as physical health.

💚 Why does this day matter?

Because too many people struggle in silence.
Because asking for help should never be a sign of weakness.
Because mental health challenges do not discriminate.
Because prevention, early intervention, education, and access to support can make a life-changing difference.

And because sometimes, the person who seems to have it all together is the one who needs someone to check in the most.

At Mental Health America of Licking County, we believe mental health support starts long before someone reaches a crisis. It starts in our schools, in our homes, in our workplaces, in our communities, and in the everyday moments when we choose to listen, support, and show up for one another.

Today, we encourage you to:
💚 Check in on someone you care about.
💚 Make time for your own mental well-being.
💚 Give yourself permission to set boundaries and say no.
💚 Listen without judgment when someone opens up.
💚 Help break the stigma by talking openly about mental health.
💚 Remember that reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

You never know what someone else is carrying. A little compassion, a genuine conversation, or simply reminding someone that they are not alone can mean more than you realize.

Mental health matters today, tomorrow, and every day. We cannot limit these conversations to one day on the calendar. We must continue showing up, building connections, promoting prevention, and making sure people know that help and hope are possible.

Let's keep reaching one person at a time. Because every person matters. Every conversation matters. And every step toward better mental health matters. 💚

10/10/2026

What is Help Me Grow? 💛

Ohio’s Help Me Grow is an evidence-based parent support program that helps families give children the best start in life. The program focuses on:
👶 Early Postnatal and well-baby care
🌱 Parenting education
🏠 Home visiting and early intervention services

Making a referral is easy—one referral can connect families to multiple programs that support child health, development, and school readiness. Parents and non-parents can make referrals!

Learn more and make a referral: helpmegrow.ohio.gov