Rep. White Announces $2M in Funding to Expand Infant Mortality Prevention Programs Across Ohio

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Erika White (D-Springfield Township) Monday announced that the Ohio Controlling Board approved $2M in funding for the second year of a three-year expansion of the Queens Village and Cradle Cincinnati model, programs designed to combat infant mortality and support mothers and families across Ohio. 

¿“Infant mortality rates are a significant public health concern, especially in Black and Brown communities, highlighting ongoing systemic inequalities. I am excited that this important issue is receiving additional funding to help address these disparities. By improving access to education, essential resources, and support systems for new mothers—such as prenatal care and parenting workshops—we can make this crucial role more manageable. This initiative promises to enhance health outcomes for families in the Lucas County area and signifies a commitment to fostering equitable health opportunities for all in the 41st District,” said Rep. White.  

Ohio continues to have a high infant mortality rate. The Cradle Cincinnati Collective Impact Model is a cross-sector network of partners working collaboratively to improve infant mortality rates and eliminate differences in outcomes for mothers and babies. This model gathers the community together to address infant mortality by transforming systems, supporting families, and elevating women's voices. Cradle Cincinnati will provide individualized training to four communities with the highest rates of infant mortality (Franklin, Lucas, Cuyahoga, and Montgomery counties) on interpreting causes of infant death. Cradle Cincinnati will also lead a collective impact workshop and provide tools to help each grantee build a tailored, community-specific collective impact model. The four grant recipients are the Hospital Council of NW Ohio (Lucas), Celebrate One (Franklin), Nationwide (Montgomery), and First Year CLE (Cuyahoga).¿ 

Queens Village is a nationally recognized model for engaging Black women in maternal and child health efforts that creates an infrastructure for community leaders to serve as an advisory to local maternal and child health efforts. This strategy will provide training, skill-building, and technical assistance in eight Maternal and Infant Vitality Initiative communities with the greatest differences in birth outcomes (Butler, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Montgomery and Summit counties).¿