The Department of Health and Human Services offers various programs and services to help children and youth before they enter school, during school age, and into young adulthood. Many engage the whole family in providing the education and support youth need to be prepared for school, have success as a student, and build a future. Browse the services listed below or get more information from the following agencies:
- Invest in Children/Office of Early Childhood - The mission of Invest in Children is to mobilize resources and energy to ensure the well-being of all young children in Cuyahoga County.
- Family and Children First Council - The Family and Children First Council brings people together to make lasting progress for those of us who provide, fund, or need family services.
- Division of Children and Family Services - DCFS works to assure children at risk of abuse and neglect are protected and nurtured within a family and with the support of the community as we strive to end the over-representation of people of color in the child welfare system.
- Cuyahoga Job and Family Services - CJFS promotes economic self-sufficiency and personal responsibility for families and individuals by providing access to jobs, benefits, and community services.
Related Services
Child Care
Publicly Funded Child Care Assistance Program
The Publicly Funded Child Care Assistance Program can help you cover part of the cost of child care while you are working or in school. Eligible residents can choose from hundreds of licensed care programs to find the one that best meets their needs.
Starting Point is the leading expert in quality child care, early education, and out-of-school time resources in Northeast Ohio.
How to get childcare for children placed in a Cuyahoga County DCFS licensed foster home.
Information about daycare for family members caring for children.
UPK – Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program for Parents
Information for Parents on Invest in Children's award winning Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program.
UPK – Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program for Providers
This program offers providers access to resources, forms, training, enrollment tools, and support materials to participate in and administer the county’s award-winning Universal Pre-Kindergarten program.
Special Needs Child Care (SNCC)
The program supports young children with developmental, health, physical, social-emotional or behavioral challenges in the classroom.
Early Childhood
Early Childhood Literacy Help (SPARK)
Overview information on Early Literacy Programs for parents of preschool age children who need a little extra help developing literacy skills necessary for success in Kindergarten.
FamilySpace locations serve as neighborhood hubs of programming, information sharing, and community building for families in an environment designed for their needs.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Services (IECMH)
Infant and early childhood mental health services available to Cuyahoga County children.
School Age Education
Closing the Achievement Gap (CTAG)
Closing the Achievement Gap (CTAG) program partners with students who need extra guidance to reach future goals.
Families and Schools Together (FAST)
Find after school or prevention programs for kids, jobs or leadership for teens, advice or assistance for children who are troubled.
Out-of-School-Time Activities (OST)
Out-of-School-Time Activities: A referral service is available for after-school and summer programs through Starting Point.
If you work with a child who needs help in many areas of his or her life, and needs services from multiple agencies, you might need to learn about Service Coordination.
This program provides support for children with serious behavioral or emotional challenges and their caregivers from age 6 to 17.5 years.
Teens and Young Adults
Educational Resources for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Educational programs, opportunities, and information for Cuyahoga County youth who have aged out of the foster care system.
Programs and services for youth and young adults formerly involved with the foster care system.
Youth Advocacy and Leadership Council (YALC)
The Youth Advocacy and Leadership Coalition is a civic leadership and service learning program through Ohio State University Extension.
Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) is a nonprofit workforce development organization based in Cleveland, Ohio. For over 40 years Y.O.U. has served teens and young adults ages 14-19 living in under-resourced areas in Northeast Ohio.
The Office of Homeless Services works with several community partners to ensure that all homeless young people ages 18-24 in Cuyahoga County have access to safe emergency shelter and permanent housing.
Future Advocates and Leaders Group (FAL)
FAL is a place where youth can build their voices and speak out for change, socialize with other youth that understand their experiences, and explore resources, services, and supports in the community.
Parent Support
MomsFirst is a City of Cleveland program, funded in part by Invest in Children, that offers case management and home visiting services to pregnant moms until their baby reaches 18 months, and serves fathers of participants too.
The Newborn Home Visiting program provides a home visit by a Registered Nurse to eligible first time and teen moms in Cuyahoga County.
Children and Family Services has contracted agreements with nine organizations operating 13 collaboratives county-wide.
Free and low-cost resources families can use to provide a safer environment for children and prevent avoidable tragedies.
There are community resources to help families in crisis and prevent child abuse and neglect.
A program for Cuyahoga County families focusing on changing dysfunctional, abusive, or neglectful child-parent interactions.