Strategic Funded Projects

First Year Cleveland seeks and secures funding that supports a coordinated approach to addressing the needs of pregnant and parenting families. By investing across systems with a shared vision for vitality, we can ensure improved access and engagement in valuable support services for our community.

Maternal and Infant Support Project

Funded by Ohio Department of Medicaid
July 1, 2016–June 30, 2027
FYC Contact: Julie Hewitt

Since 2016, First Year Cleveland has administered the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) grant on behalf of Cuyahoga County that is devoted to supporting coordinated community approaches to reducing the Black infant mortality rate. The Maternal and Infant Support project is designed to invest in direct support programs to serve Medicaid-eligible pregnant and parenting women with a child up to age one. Support includes case management, education, resources and referral.

For the current 18-month grant period (January 1, 2026–June 30, 2027), $3.6 million has been awarded to support the work of 9 community partner organizations which collectively aim to serve more than 1,680 women:

Funded partners for the current grant period include:

For more information on Maternal and Infant Health support from ODM,
Click here.

Healthy Beginnings at Home

Funded by: Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO), Bruening Foundation, and The Cleveland Foundation
April 1, 2024–June 30, 2027
FYC Contact: Al Jenkins

Healthy Beginnings at Home is a research project aimed to measure the impact of stable housing on birth outcomes. The goal is to provide up to 30 pregnant women in high-risk zip codes with rental assistance, social service support, and guidance from a housing support specialist starting in pregnancy for up to 24 months. As of early 2026, 19 families are housed and receiving case management services; ten families are receiving case management only due to state and federal funding changes.

Funded partners include:

Preliminary outcomes:

  • 19 families housed & receiving services
  • 10 families receiving services only
  • 29 total births
  • 24 full-term & healthy weight births
  • 3 preterm and/or low weight births
  • 2 miscarriages

Partners for Change

Funded by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth
March 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027
FYC Contact: Richard Stacklin

Partners for Change is a collective impact framework that models the work of Cradle Cincinnati. This includes real-time access to infant mortality data, a healthcare learning collaborative, and community engagement through the Queen’s Village model elevating Black women’s expertise. By engaging women most impacted by infant mortality alongside healthcare systems on data-driven policy and system changes that influence pregnancy and birth outcomes, we aim to reduce infant mortality to 5.9 (or less) per 1,000 live births by December 2030.

Funded partners include:

For more information regarding this project, here is a
key driver diagram
that highlights the global aim, key stakeholders and areas of focus.

One focus area is the impact of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) on the health of pregnant people in Cuyahoga County. In the past 30 years, we’ve seen more than a 830% increase. This
infographic
provides more details including risk factors and a possible action step to decrease the risk.

Community and Faith-Based Perinatal Support

Funding by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth
February 1, 2026-June 30, 2027
FYC Contact: Julie Hewitt  

The Community and Faith-Based Perinatal Support program aims to invest in community and faith-based institutions to provide physical and social support to pregnant women from high-need zip codes.

Funded partners include:

Birthing Beautiful Communities Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) and Our Wellness Network (OWN) programs provide support for families who lose a pregnancy and/or infant, as well as peri- and post-natal mental health services.

Lexington Bell Community Center Village Circle program provides education, wellness, and support for pregnant women, infants, and their families. The majority of funding will cover staff and supplies needed for this new program.

Neighborhood Family Practice support funds expansion of healthcare services and Centering Pregnancy at a newly opened site in the heart of Cleveland.

Neighborhood Leadership Institute One Community project engages residents in targeted zip codes with some of the highest rates of infant mortality to identify community-driven strategies to improve infant and maternal health.

Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center Making Opportunities Matter (M.O.M) program and House of HOPE model provide education and life management support and housing assistance.

Progressive Baptist Alliance Save Our Babies initiative is a collaborative of 25+ churches that deliver services, referrals, and events to pregnant women and families with infants.

The Centers will expand the Perinatal Support Program to include housing stabilization and nutrition assistance.

Village of Healing Postpartum Pediatric Care Model and Mother-to-Mother programs provide healthcare wellness visits for infants and mental health services for mothers.

Project Milk Mission Thrive – Birth to One project provides education for maternal health, breastfeeding, and safe sleep, in addition to wellness activities and essential supplies.