bi3 is awarding two $500,000 grants to Mental Health America of Ohio and the Great Miami Valley YMCA – Booker T. Washington Community Center to strengthen maternal mental health supports and wellbeing for new and expectant mothers.
bi3 is on a mission to improve maternal, infant, and young child health. One in five women experiences a mental health issue during the time before, during, and after birth, yet most go untreated or undiagnosed. Left untreated, maternal mental health conditions can lead to long-term adverse health outcomes for mom, their infant, and family.
“bi3’s vision is that all people in Greater Cincinnati have a fair and just opportunity to achieve their best health,” Jill Miller, President & CEO of bi3, said. “Every mother deserves support for her mental health and emotional wellbeing. Through this philanthropic investment, we hope more new and expectant moms, especially those facing the greatest barriers, can access the care and support they need.”
Grant Awards:
Mental Health America of Ohio will expand its Perinatal Outreach and Encouragement for Moms (POEM) program in Cincinnati, building off successful implementation in Central Ohio and Dayton. Over the next three years, the program will impact at least 600 moms through peer support, care navigation, and support groups, strengthening family stability and emotional wellbeing and ensuring equitable access to maternal mental health services.
The program also has the potential to support advocacy efforts for systems change.
Great Miami Valley YMCA-Booker T. Washington Community Center will launch a Maternal Wellness Center in Butler County, providing culturally affirming care that includes therapy, healing circles, movement, and family support for Black and Hispanic women from pregnancy through three years postpartum. Programming was designed based on community input, leveraging the
organization’s deep, trusted relationships with Black and Hispanic communities.
The Maternal Wellness Center is expected to increase maternal wellbeing, expand access to care, and raise community awareness of maternal mental health.
Media Coverage:
- Journal-News: “Launch of maternal wellness center to strengthen care at Booker T. Washington Community Center“
- Movers & Makers Cincinnati: “bi3 invests $1M in efforts to improve mental health support for mothers”
