Buckeye Reporter

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced that the Ohio Department of Health in partnership with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth has awarded $5 million to 19 community- and faith-based organizations to improve supports to pregnant women and newly-parenting families.

“Giving all Ohioans the best possible start in life truly begins before a child is even born and that means ensuring the child’s family has access to the resources and support they need,” said Governor DeWine.

“We need strong local partners in order to effectively address our state’s maternal and infant mortality numbers,” said Ohio Department of Children and Youth Director Kara Wente. “We must work together at the state and local levels so that more children thrive and reach their first birthday.”

“These grant funds are much needed and will go a long way in supporting and advancing maternal and infant health throughout Ohio,” said Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., MBA. “These funds will expand the reach of important programs, information, and guidance in areas critical to the health and well-being of our youngest Ohioans, including prenatal care, breastfeeding and nutrition, and stress management, as well as connect families to other health and social resources vital to their success.”

The grants provide funding to communities across the state to begin or expand services that aim to improve infant and maternal health and support new families. where there are current gaps and support pregnant women and newly parenting families (up to 12-months postpartum).

Infant mortality is defined as the death of an infant before their first birthday. The infant mortality rate is the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. Ohio infant mortality was 6.9 per 1,000 live births in 2021. The Ohio and national goal is 6.0 or fewer infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

Grant recipients are listed below.

Organization Name	Approved Funding Amount	Proposed County/Counties of Service	Application Summary
Baby University	$40,130.00	Lucas	Provide parenting workshops, home visiting programs, and expand the Thrive Graduate Program.
Baby’s 1st Network	$349,999.00	Statewide	Provide safe sleep and breastfeeding information, and convene birthing professionals, community-based home visitors, early childcare providers, and representatives from community-based organizations.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland	$160,000.00	Cuyahoga; Lake; Lorain; Summit	Deliver 36 two-hour educational programs on how to identify the signs of poor mental health and addiction, strategies on how to help in times of need, and stress management skills.
City of Cincinnati Health Department	$349,136.00	Hamilton	Increase prenatal and postpartum doctors’ visits and support nutrition during pregnancy.
Compassion Health Toledo	$350,000.00	Fulton; Lucas	Support pregnant women facing the risk of eviction.
Erie County Health Department	$129,074.25	Erie; Huron; Ottawa	Increase access to healthcare services, parental education, and community linkages.
Health Care Access Now	$160,000.00	Cuyahoga; Lake; Lorain; Summit	Expand Maternal and Child Health Care Coordination Program.
Merrick House	$350,000.00	Cuyahoga	Expand Moms’ First program and Fathers’ First Program.
Pathway, Inc.	$350,000.00	Lucas	Expand Brothers United Fatherhood and Sisters United Motherhood programming.
Pierce Point Community Church	$55,000	Clermont; Brown	Expand Maternity Family Ministry to provide mentorship to pregnant and postpartum women, expectant and new fathers.
Pregnancy Support Network (PSN)	$349,798.00	Stark; Summit; Tuscarawas	Provide services to pregnant women, parents, and families caring for infants.
PrimaryOne Health	$205,256.25	Franklin	Increase outreach, education, and clinical services.
Produce Perks Midwest, Inc.	$198,126.00	Hamilton; Lorain	Expand and enhance the Infant-Vitality Produce Prescription program (IV-PRx).
Shelter Care Inc.	$350,000.00	Summit	Increase access to behavioral health support, healthcare, education, housing, and social support through the Highland Teen Pregnancy Shelter and Street Outreach Services Program.
Stark County Community Action Agency	$280,285.00	Stark	Support pregnant women and newly parenting families through the Community Action Pathways HUB.
The Center for Healthy Families	$350,000.00	Franklin; Licking	Provide housing, food, transportation, support groups, and parental education.
The Village of Healing	$188,525.00	Cuyahoga; Mahoning; Trumbull	Support the mental health needs of pregnant and postpartum women.
United Way Summit Medina	$340,000.00	Summit	Expand Full-Term First Birthday housing stabilization program and provide crisis assistance.
Urban Family Development Center	$349,800,00	Franklin; Montgomery	Expand Dad2B Program.

Original source can be found here.