Specialty Groups
General peer support groups are great, but sometimes groups with a more specific mission are needed, and this is where specialty groups come into play. For example, you may be looking for communities for LGBTQ+, teens, children or veterans. On the other hand, some organizations under this category contain miscellaneous resources that may be helpful to you as you are navigating living with SUD and/or other mental health issues.
Specialized Support Groups:
GRASP (grief recovery after substance passing)- Support group for those who have lost someone due to substance use. Offered through Ross County Recovery & Outreach Center
The G.A.P Network (Grief. Advocacy. Prevention.)- Statewide support group for those who have lost a loved one to a substance abuse, as well as grief due to any mental health concerns
MARA (medication-assisted recoveries anonymous)- Support group for who are prescribed medicine to overcome SUD. Offered through Ross County Recovery & Outreach Center
Directly Affected Ross County- Peer-to-peer group for teens in 7th-12th grade dealing with a loved one suffering from substance abuse or they themselves struggling with addiction. Offered through First Capital Prevention
Directly Affected Ross County- Young Adults- Peer-to-peer group for ages 18-21 dealing with substance abuse or a loved one suffering from SUD. Offered through First Capital Prevention
Rainbows for All Children- Peer groups with trained adult for children ages 3-18 dealing with grief and loss. Offered through First Capital Prevention
SOGIE Group (Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Expression)- For teens 12-18 needing education, support and connection struggling with sexual orientation and gender identity expression. Offered through First Capital Prevention
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central Ohio– Pairs adult volunteers and children aged 7 to young adulthood to form positive, healthy relationships regardless of life situations
Seeds of Hope– Offers a faith-based mentoring program for those struggling with SUD
Integrated Services for Behavioral Health (ISBH)– Offers various youth programs
NAMI Family-to-Family– A class for families, partners and friends of individuals with mental illness to better understand mental health, coping skills and empowering participants to become advocates for their family members
Veteran Resources:
First Capital Recovery and Counseling– Provides services for Veterans
NAMI Homefront– A class for families, partners and friends of military service members and veterans experiencing a mental health challenge
Path Behavioral Healthcare– Behavioral health services for veterans, including certain groups like women veterans, homeless veterans and more. Services also available for spouses of active duty service members and veterans and parents of active duty or retired military members
Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center– Provides a wide range of treatment options for veterans struggling with addiction
Ross County Veterans Service Office– Guidance in applying for benefits and providing basic needs to veterans
Miscellaneous Resources:
Aspire- Free instruction for adults wishing to earn their GED, Adult Diploma Program and overall basic academic skills. Offered through Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center
Pet Food Pantry- Free pet food to low-income pet owners of the county. Offered through Ross County Humane Society
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program (SNAP-Ed)- Free hands-on programs that teach about nutrition, meal planning, budgets, food shopping and more. Offered through OSU Extension
Baby & Me- Tobacco Free Program (Moms Quit for Two)- Eligible for pregnant individuals less than 36 weeks along who have quit smoking since becoming pregnant or within 3 months of being pregnant. Also receive vouchers for diapers/baby wipes when testing tobacco free. Offered through Ross County Health District
Cribs for Kids®-Provides portable cribettes to families who cannot afford a safe place for their babies to sleep, as well as education about how to prevent infant sleep-related deaths. Offered through Ross County Health District
Ohio Buckles Buckeyes- Provides child safety seats and booster seats to eligible, low-income families in all Ohio counties. Offered through Ross County Health District
Childcare- When taking a class through BESTOhio’s WISE Pathways, they offer childcare
