Special Needs Resource Directory

• Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH) offers nutrition consults and financial coverage for special formulas. Nutritional consults are provided by a trained licensed dietitian through assessment and planning. Specialized formulas are approved for payment when an infant or child is unable to consume adequate nutrition to promote appropriate growth and development. Financial and medical criteria for program qualification is also available on the site.
• Food Assistance, overseen by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, assists eligible low-income individuals and families purchase food and food products. This program was formerly called Food Stamps. Detailed information on how to apply is included on their fact sheet and on online application is available.. 
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the new name for the federal Food Stamp program, provides information and an online pre-screening tool that can help you determine if your family is eligible to receive benefits. Although SNAP will be the national name, your state may use a different name.
• The Freestore Foodbank in Cincinnati, guides low-income individuals and families through the often confusing process of applying for Food Stamp benefits.
• St. Vincent DePaul has a comprehensive community resource guide for the Cincinnati area.
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (WIC) provides nutritional education and highly nutritious supplemental foods to pregnant women, women who have recently had a baby, infants birth to 12 months of age, and children ages 1-5 who are at medical / health risk. This site has information about income eligibility and how to apply.
• Ohio Department of Health oversees the WIC program. You can find information on eligibility and a directory of WIC clinics in Ohio.
• State and local agency contacts are available for areas outside of Ohio. To apply to be a WIC participant, you will need to contact your State agency to set up an appointment.

• Freestore Foodbank, located in Cincinnati, provides food and clothing to people who are unemployed, whose homes have been destroyed by flood or fire or who are in need. They distribute donated and surplus food to approximately 500 non-profit agencies in 20 counties, who in turn help prevent hunger in their own neighborhoods.
• Food pantries and emergency assistance for families in Northern Kentucky.

The sites listed below offer easy-to-use general nutrition information for kids and families:

• American Dietetic Association offers resources to help improve eating habits and achieve a healthy lifestyle.
• Food and Nutrition Information Center
• Fruits and Veggies More Matters has information on healthy eating.
• Kids Health offers online interactive information sections for parents, kids and teens on nutrition and other health topics.
• Kidnetic is a kid-friendly interactive web site which helps kids learn about how their bodies work, how eating right helps them play better and feel good, and how staying active is lots of fun.
• Maternal and Child Health Library provides information on child and adolescent nutrition resources for families and health care professionals.
• Choose My Plate, sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture, provides personalized eating plans and kid-friendly information. 
• Nutrition Explorations for Kids: "The Fun and Easy Way to Teach and Learn Nutrition" offers information for parents, educators and school foodservice professionals.
• Nutrition for Children with Special Health Care Needs provides information and resources for families and health care professionals.
• Office of Dietary Supplements, part of the National Institutes of Health, provides information and fact sheets on vitamins, minerals and healthy eating.
• Tiny Tummies is a food and nutrition newsletter for parents. The web site has useful information about nutrition for children, practical feeding ideas, recipes and other internet links.  

• Food pantries and emergency assistance for families in Northern Kentucky.