Hamilton County Ohio Social Service News

Cincinnati Public Schools offer full-service health centers at sites around the district to serve the medical needs of students, families and the community. Currently, there are 24 School-Based Health Centers to serve students' needs; 14 of those centers are also open to the community. The school based health centers offer Read More Shared by United Resource Connection September 1, 2025

An Advance Healthcare Directive is a legal document that specifies one's healthcare preferences, and who should make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so themselves. It is also known as a living will, advance directive, or medical directive. Treatment preferences in advance healthcare directives may include specific instructions Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 22, 2025

Many pet owners who need housing, medical or rehabilitation services can not access these services because they will not surrender their pet. Surrendering one's animal in order to receive housing, medical or rehabilitation services for oneself or family, can cause trauma to everyone involved. The Interfaith Hospitality Network provides a Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 20, 2025

The Holloman Center for Social Justice hosts information sessions about the process of criminal record expungement. The sessions are meant to answer questions about record expungement, and help connect individuals in to the relevant resources. One of these information sessions is coming up on Thursday September 18th from 6 PM Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 18, 2025

The National Weather Service issues Heat Warnings when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 105° or higher for at least 2 days and night time air temperatures will not drop below 75°. These warnings advise people to avoid poorly ventilated areas and prolonged work in the sun, Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 15, 2025

New Life Furniture Bank provides financial assistance to individuals and families in need of furniture items. There is a large selection of furniture items available including new mattresses, dressers, sofas, chairs, coffee tables and more. Those seeking furniture assistance from the Furniture Bank must be referred by partner social service Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 13, 2025

The National Institute on Drug Abuse produces educational materials about drug abuse and addiction, as well as screening tools that can be used by clinicians. These materials are freely available in .pdf format and can be downloaded for use in drug treatment settings. The .pdfs are available in English and Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 11, 2025

Walmart offers up to a 30-day supply of over 300 different generic medications for $4 per prescription. They also offer a 90-day supply of many generic medications for $10. These prices do not apply to prescriptions filled by mail order. Prescriptions refills may be ordered online or by telephone, but Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 8, 2025

Medicaid and EBT cardholders get a 50% discount on Amazon Prime Membership, paying only $6.99 per month instead of $14.99. The 50% discount can be a significant savings for EBT card holders who already self pay for Amazon Prime. In some situations it can also be beneficial for those who Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 6, 2025

Seniors are welcome to enjoy free laundry services from 10 AM through noon, every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, at City Limits Laundry, located at 4592 Montgomery Road, in Norwood. The service is made available by Dedicated Senior Medical Centers.  The service is limited to the timeframe of Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 5, 2025

Individuals who have had their driver's license or Ohio professional license suspended due to lack of child support payments, can have these licenses reinstated if they make payment arrangements this August. Payment arrangements must be made with the Child Support Division of the Hamilton County Department of Job & Family Read More Shared by United Resource Connection August 1, 2025

The Social Security Administration creates an annual statement for each individual, showing how much you have paid in Social Security and Medicare taxes, and how much you would get in Social Security benefits when you reach full retirement age. The Social Security Administration recalculates your retirement benefit each year after Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 25, 2025

For many low to moderate income households, property taxes can account for a significant portion of their monthly expenses, making it difficult to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare. Property tax relief programs can help to reduce the risk of homelessness and financial instability for low income Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 23, 2025

Traffic court can result in a question of citizenship for individuals that don't have a driver's license, especially if they happen to be latino. This is a hardship on the Latino community in that if one is unable to present documents quickly, they are often suspected by others as being Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 22, 2025

People with disabilities often face unique challenges in navigating the healthcare system, including communication barriers, lack of accessibility, and discrimination. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals with disabilities to receive support for advocacy in their healthcare to ensure they receive the appropriate care and accommodations they need. Advocacy can help Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 18, 2025

Cincinnati Museum Center participates in a national program that provides discounted admission for low income families. All SNAP and Medicaid cards accepted. Guests with a valid EBT card and a photo ID, or a valid Medicaid card and a photo ID, will receive free parking and $2 admission per person Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 16, 2025

During hot summer months it is particularly important to screen patients for risk factors. The CDC provides a screening tool which can be used for this. The screening tool is available for download as a pdf, and can be freely distributed to interested parties for use with patients or loved Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 15, 2025

The Hamilton County Department of Health provides a number of health education resources available for download and review. Among these are “Fact Sheets” on a number of topics, including one about important factors to consider during heat emergencies.   Those at greatest risk for heat-related illness include infants and children up Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 11, 2025

As part of Phase IV of Reinventing Metro, Metro is hosting a series of public meetings to gather feedback on proposed service improvements for Fall 2025. Among the highlights is the proposed launch of the new Rt. 8 Blue Ash–Silverton local service, along with several other route enhancements scheduled to Read More Shared by Cincinnati Metro July 10, 2025

Over the past four years there's been new student debt relief programs created by the U.S. Government and then subsequently shut down. These changes created a lot of confusion. It is important for those with student debt to know what there obligations are for repayment, and what programs that are Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 9, 2025

Red Bike is a public bicycle sharing system that has bike stations throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. For individuals living near the bike stations, and healthy enough to ride, the bikes can be a more economical option than exclusively ride-sharing, using the metro bus system, or buying and maintaining a car. Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 8, 2025

Access to fruits and vegetables is essential for maintaining good health and overall well-being. For low-income individuals and families, limited access to affordable and fresh produce can pose a significant barrier to achieving a balanced and nutritious diet. This can lead to an increased risk of chronic health conditions such Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 3, 2025

Leisure activities and routines are crucial for maintaining good mental health. Engaging in activities such as going to a park can be an essential part of a self-care routine. For some people with mental health challenges or disabilities, they may need assistance in establishing these routines and transportation. Hamilton County Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 2, 2025

Where do you go to buy food for your family when it takes an hour by bus to get to the nearest grocery store? What do you eat when processed food and corner-store snacks are the only things within reach, or the only affordable options? Healthy Harvest Mobile Market visits Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 1, 2025

A series of educational classes on Chronic Disease Self-Management will be held July 10th through August 14th on Thursdays from 5:30 PM to 8 PM, in Village Municipal Building of Golf Manor, located at 6450 Wiehe Road. Classes are FREE to the public. Registration for the classes is available online. Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 30, 2025

Hamilton County officials have announced that Veterans will now be provided FREE bus fare when traveling to VA Medical Center appointments. The program will involve one-day travel tickets that the patient can use to ride the bus to their appointment and back for free. The current process for requesting these Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 28, 2025

The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company annually performs FREE Shakespeare plays in the park. This year they will be performing William Shakespeare's play “A Midsummer Night's Dream”. The performances are on different days, July 11th through August 31st. Most performances are at 7pm, and each performance is held at a different park Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 21, 2025

Cincinnati Recreation Commission Spray Parks are in operation from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission has 9 spray parks throughout Hamilton County. Each are open from 10 AM through 9 PM, seven days a week. All are available at no charge and do not require memberships. Groups Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 20, 2025

Fentanyl test strips are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. Fentanyl test strips are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in different kinds of drugs, like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, as well as other substances. The test strips can be Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 17, 2025

Warnings about excessive heat and poor air quality occur frequently during the summer and are important to pay attention to, for your own health sake, and or if you have vulnerable individuals under your care. The National Weather Service will issue warnings about excessive heat when there is a prolonged Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 16, 2025

Dust containing lead paint particles have been found to present a significant risk for lead poisoning in children. This dust can shed from paint in houses and apartment buildings built before 1978, when use of lead paint was very prevalent in both public and private housing. How to Ascertain the Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 13, 2025

In Fredrick Douglass's most famous speech on the hypocrisy of American slavery, he pointed out the paradox of Independence Day: America declared every man had a right to liberty while at the same time enslaving millions of people. More than nine years after this speech, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 12, 2025

The National Association for Children of Addiction is hosting a monthly online educational series for adults impacted by parental addiction. This online facilitated group features an expert presenting on important topics facing adults nurturing their own resilience, followed by an opportunity for attendees to speak freely.  All meetings are held Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 11, 2025

“Dress for Success Cincinnati” is an organization that provides professional clothing to women returning to, or entering, the workforce. Many women entering the workforce encounter in which they need appropriate attire to have a successful job interview, but can't afford proper attire for the interview without a job. Dress for Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 10, 2025

The Cincinnati Recreation Commission will be hosting FREE introductory Scuba classes through June and July 2025. Participants must be 12 years old or older, and must be large enough to safely swim with the scuba gear. Classes will be held from 10:30 AM until 12:30 PM at the following CRC Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 7, 2025

The United States Department of Agriculture has a Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program which provides fresh, nutritious, unprepared locally grown fruits, vegetables, fresh cut herbs and honey through farmers' markets and roadside stands.  The Farmers' Market Senior Coupon Application is available online and very simple to complete. No documents are Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 6, 2025

The Metro Board of Trustees has approved a new fare structure that will take effect on July 16, 2025. The fare increase averages approximately 10% across all service types. Under the new structure, local fares will be $2.20, and express route fares will be $3.00. New Child Fare Policy There Read More Shared by Cincinnati Metro June 6, 2025

Cincinnati Public Schools offer full-service health centers at sites around the district to serve the medical needs of students, families and the community. Currently, there are 24 School-Based Health Centers to serve students' needs; 14 of those centers are also open to the community, and a number of these are Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 5, 2025

The National Association for Children of Addiction hosts a monthly Online Education and Discussion Group. The monthly meetings are ideally suited for adult children who have been impacted by addiction, looking for education and support through an online facilitated group. Each meeting features an expert presenting on important topics facing Read More Shared by Support Team June 4, 2025

The 2025 Family Law Guide for LGBTQ+ Ohioans is FREELY available for download as a .pdf document. The guide is meant for legal professionals, advocates and others interested in the legal issues LGBTQ+ persons specifically may encounter while navigating marriage, divorce, custody, parentage and adoption. The guide reviews the relevant Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 3, 2025

Recreational events provide teenagers with opportunities to socialize and make new friends, promoting a sense of community and belonging. They also offer a healthy outlet for stress relief and relaxation, helping teenagers maintain a positive mental health and well-being. Engaging in recreational activities can also help teens develop important life Read More Shared by United Resource Connection June 1, 2025

Beginning June 8th, residents in the Forest Park and Pleasant Run communities will have access to the MetroNow! transportation service. Instead of using full size Metro buses, the MetroNow! service uses shuttle-style vehicles to provide flexible, on-demand service—within these available zones of service. MetroNow! currently operates in the communities of Read More Shared by United Resource Connection May 30, 2025

There is a FREE expungement clinic available online this Saturday, May 31st from noon until 5 PM. The event is meant to help those with a misdemeanor or low-level felony get their record of this sealed, or in some cases fully expunged. You must register to attend. The registration link Read More Shared by United Resource Connection May 29, 2025

Summer recreational facilities, such as swimming pools, play a vital role in the development of youth, particularly for those from low-income backgrounds. Swimming pools provide an opportunity for children to engage in physical activity, socialize with peers, and learn important life skills such as teamwork and sportsmanship. For many low-income Read More Shared by United Resource Connection May 28, 2025

Research shows that kids who practice reading and math skills over the summer can keep and even improve upon the progress they made during the school year. Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Libraries are committed to helping kids do this, and have fun with it. With these objectives, the “Discover Read More Shared by United Resource Connection May 26, 2025

All children under the age of 18 are eligible to receive free meals during the summer months through a program offered by the Ohio Department of Education. Individuals ages 19 through 21 are also eligible for this program, if they have been identified as having mental or physical disabilities, and Read More Shared by United Resource Connection May 23, 2025

The cost of tickets often make classical music inaccessible to people of lower income status. This summer there are a number of opportunities to bring social recreational activities and classical music together, and available to all people regardless of their financial situation. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will be playing at Read More Shared by United Resource Connection May 22, 2025

Summer sports camps are an essential part of childhood development, providing an opportunity for children to learn new skills, make new friends, and stay active during the summer months. For low-income families, these camps offer an affordable way to engage their children in structured physical activities that enhance their physical Read More Shared by United Resource Connection May 21, 2025

If you have questions about legally changing you or your child's name and/or gender designation on identity documents in Ohio, FREE confidential legal clinics are available. The clinics are held virtually, every second Wednesday of the month, from 6 PM to 8 PM, online. Registration is required at least 48 Read More Shared by United Resource Connection May 19, 2025

Starting May 25th, 2025, thirteen Metro fixed routes will see minor schedule and or route adjustments. Many of these changes occur annually, corresponding to the shifts in traffic patterns that occur when school is out. Schedule Changes The following routes will have new schedules: Routes 4, 11, 17, 22, 24, 28, Read More Shared by Cincinnati Metro May 16, 2025

Detours for the annual Taste of Cincinnati events begin downtown on Wednesday May 22nd at 6 AM and will last until Tuesday May 28th at 5 PM. 5th Street will be closed from Walnut to Columbia Parkway. Consequently there are several changes in boarding locations. The following routes will board Read More Shared by United Resource Connection May 15, 2025