ACCELERATING MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH
Hamilton County hospitals unite for maternal health equity
All four Hamilton County hospital systems—TriHealth, The Christ Hospital Health Network, Mercy Health, and UC Health—have joined the bi3-funded Mama Certified initiative! The Health Collaborative and Cradle Cincinnati are leading this joint effort.
The goal is to improve infant, maternal, staff, and community care to advance birth equity: optimal birth outcomes for all people with a willingness to address racial and social inequities. In addition, Mama Certified will provide information to Black moms so they can make informed decisions about their birthing hospital.
The first-of-its-kind national pilot project also seeks to combat the impact of systemic racism on maternal health and reduce infant mortality rates.
Ohio House Bill 7 – Supporting Ohio moms’ and babies’ first 1,000 days
Ohio House Bill 7 (HB7), known as the Strong Foundations Act, was introduced earlier this year with provisions to support Ohio mothers and babies in their first 1,000 days, to address infant mortality and support birth equity. The Ohio House Finance Committee will consider the bill which would provide $18 million in funding for:
- Safe, stable housing for pregnant women through Healthy Beginnings at Home program
- Evidenced-based home visiting services through the Help Me Grow program
- Medical-legal partnerships to help new mothers navigate through health-threatening situations
bi3 is joining partner Groundwork Ohio in support of the HB7 and urging the Finance Committee to send to the full Ohio House for a vote.
Save the date for Black maternal mental health training
bi3 partners Best Point Behavioral Health and Groundwork Ohio are collaborating to offer a vital training session on Black maternal mental health on Monday, December 4.
Using data and information gathered from focus groups, listening sessions and interviews funded by bi3, Debbie Gingrich, LISW-S, Ashley Glass, MPH, BSN, and Kezia Ofosu Atta will help participants better understand the experience Black moms have in navigating their mental health both during and after pregnancy and share resources to address these concerns.
IMPROVING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
Calling Hamilton County high school students to participate in
World Teen Mental Wellness Day
bi3, Interact for Heath and The Joe Burrow Foundation are teaming up to invite Hamilton County high school students to develop and participate in activities commemorating World Teen Mental Wellness Day on March 1, 2024. Students will be awarded up to $500 per school to plan, create and lead activities that engage their peers.
World Teen Mental Wellness Day is observed annually to raise awareness for the mental health issues teenagers face daily, promote mental wellness, determine solutions and raise awareness.
Last year, funding supported students at 11 high schools to create activities like new wellness rooms, host speakers and promote awareness of resources.
To apply, students simply need to fill out a short application. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2024.
Grantee Spotlight: Best Point Behavioral Health improves access to quality youth mental healthcare
Earlier this year, bi3 awarded a $1.3 million grant to Best Point Behavioral Health to increase access to youth behavioral health services and improve quality of care by strengthening its organizational capacity and supporting its workforce.
John Banchy, President and CEO of Best Point, shared how the transformational grant is making an impact by supporting their workforce and reducing wait times for kids seeking care, and in turn, improving health outcomes.
FUELING HEALTH EQUITY AT TRIHEALTH
Jill Miller joins TriHealth leadership in Business Courier roundtable on equity
Jill Miller joined TriHealth CEO Mark Clement and Dr. Thomas Shockley, Chief Health Equity Officer at TriHealth and Bethesda Inc./bi3 Board member, for a roundtable discussion on how prioritizing healthcare for all communities and diverse populations can improve population health and reduce health disparities.
The hour-long discussion touched on solutions, strategies and the new bi3-funded Center for Health Equity at TriHealth.
bi3 UPDATES
Jill Miller named Woman Who Means Business by Cincinnati Business Courier
Congratulations to our outstanding President and CEO Jill Miller for being recognized as one of Cincinnati Business Courier‘s 2023 Women Who Mean Business!
She is being honored for championing health equity and demonstrating dedication to transforming the health of all people in Greater Cincinnati. The program acknowledges Greater Cincinnati women whose achievements over the past year have had a significant impact on their businesses and our community.
For more updates on the work of bi3 and our funded partners, be sure to follow us on social media!
