Family and Children First Council (FCFC)enhancing the well being of Ohio's children and families
The Hamilton County Family and Children First Council (FCFC) was established by county commissioners as part of Ohio Family and Children First. This partnership of state and local government, communities, and families enhances the well-being of Ohio’s children and families by building community capacity, coordinating systems and services, and engaging families.
Family-Centered Services and Supports (FCSS) Initiative
The Family-Centered Services and Supports (FCSS) initiative provides non-clinical, community-based services to support children and youth in their own homes. Families who have children with support needs from multiple service systems may be eligible for FCSS-funded supports. The Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board oversees the Family-Centered Services and Supports initiative under the HOPE Program. The first step for accessing service coordination and individualized services for multisystem youth (ages 0-21) and their families is to contact HOPE at:
(Formerly Help Me Grow)
Early Intervention (EI) is a statewide system that provides coordinated services to parents of young children, birth to age 3, who have a developmental delay or qualifying diagnosed medical condition. EI is grounded in the philosophy that young children learn best from familiar people in familiar settings. Families are a part of the process in choosing services and resources to enhance a child’s learning and development. Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services oversees local Early Intervention services. To make a referral, call 513-434-3322 or click here to complete a web referral
OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence)
OhioRISE is a special managed care program that focuses on children and youth who have complex behavioral health and multisystem needs. The OhioRISE Program uses a “system of care” approach that focuses on wrapping support around children and youth through a coordinated network in their communities. This helps ensure each person functions better at home, in school, in the community, and throughout life.
For more information on OhioRISE, contact your local Care Management Entity (CME). You can use this zip code map to find your CME.
- If you live in an East Hamilton County zip code, your CME is Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center HealthVine. Find HealthVine contact information here.
- If you live in a WestHamilton County zip code, your CME is Lighthouse Youth and Family Services (LYFS). Find LYFS contact information here.
ABOUT THE LOCAL FCFC
Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services is the designated administrative agent for the local FCFC
The mission of the FCFC is to increase the access, capacity, and effectiveness of services for youth and their families whose needs extend beyond any one youth-serving program. Any family with a child or youth (age birth through 21 years) in need of a coordinated inter-disciplinary plan to address their unique needs may be eligible for service coordination through the FCFC.
