First Year Cleveland, an initiative aimed at reducing infant mortality in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, has been awarded more than $2.9 million from the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

The overall infant mortality rate, which includes babies who die before their first birthday, in Cuyahoga County is 8.1 out of 1,000 live births. In Cleveland it is around 13. The national rate is 5.87.

The state funding will support:

Centering Pregnancy – a unique program that provides prenatal care and birth-related information and support to pregnant women in a group setting. The number of women participating in centering pregnancy is expected to increase to 375 women. Funding: $760,000

Home Visiting Programs – through partnerships with MomsFirst, the Ohio Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative and other programs, first-time mothers receive valuable knowledge and support in such as prenatal care, breastfeeding, safe sleep and family planning.  Funding: $2 million

Local Fatherhood Initiatives – support and funding to target and teach new fathers how to care for their new babies.  Funding: $200,000

“First Year Cleveland is an important collaboration between the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, the philanthropic community and area health systems,” said Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley in a statement. “The infant mortality rate in Greater Cleveland is shockingly high and, therefore, demands attention by our entire community.”

Cuyahoga County is one of nine Ohio communities engaged through the Ohio Department of Medicaid to identify innovative projects that connect at-risk women and infants to quality health care and care management.