State looks to spread Cincinnati infant mortality reduction model to other parts of Ohio

While Ohio’s infant mortality rates are the lowest in two decades, Gov. Mike DeWine announced this week an initiative aimed at helping even more babies reach their first birthday (Source: “Ohio replicates successful Cincinnati model to reduce infant deaths statewide,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, Apr. 30).
 
The state’s Partner for Change initiative will provide grants to nonprofit organizations across the state to replicate a Cincinnati-based model for reducing infant deaths.
 
That model was begun by the nonprofit Cradle Cincinnati, which brings together parents, caregivers, healthcare providers and community leaders to support mothers and babies. 

Cradle Cincinnati has helped drive a more than 30% reduction in infant mortality in Hamilton County in the past 18 months, DeWine said at the press conference in Toledo.
 
The state’s new initiative also will replicate the Cradle Cincinnati model in Lucas, Franklin and Montgomery counties. About 50% of the state’s infant deaths occur in these counties, DeWine said.
 
In Cuyahoga County, the state’s partner will be First Year Cleveland, a nonprofit working to reduce infant mortality in the  communities of greatest need. In Lucas County, the grant partner is the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio in Toledo. Other grant partners selected for the initiative include CelebrateOne in Franklin County and Dayton Children’s Hospital in Montgomery County.