Most cities and/or counties will have a county social services office. In Ohio, it is Job and Family Services. Several years ago, they combined the State Employment Office with the County Welfare offices. Their role is very broad and has a variety of purposes.

From the Ohio.gov website

http://jfs.ohio.gov/ocomm_root/1000AboutUs.stm

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is responsible for developing and supervising the state’s public assistance, workforce development, unemployment compensation, child and adult protective services, adoption, child care and child support programs. ODJFS also is the single state agency responsible for the administration of Ohio’s Medicaid program.

Always start there for general information. Your city may have other social services agencies, some of which will be specialized. For examples, I have listed some of my local agencies below. Your town may have similar ones.

I will spotlight agencies from time to time to offer more information here.

CHOICES – eliminating domestic violence

http://www.choicescolumbus.org/