Lorain County Health District

Healthy Start Initiative - Sam Meluch, MPH, Mssa, LSW: Project Manager 9880 Murray Ridge RD. Elyria, Oh 44035 440-322-6367 Smeluch@loraincountyhealth.com Www.loraincountyhealth.com Lorain County Public Health (LCPH), a County Health Department in Northeast Ohio, Serves Approximately 316,000 Residents of Lorain County. the Purpose of the Proposed Healthy Start Project Is to Continue Building on the Momentum That Has Been Established in Recent Years to Combat the County’s Rising Infant Mortality Rates. in the Past Two Years, Lorain County Public Health (LCPH) Has Received Start-up Funding to Build Up and Better Coordinate Systems That Address Infant Mortality Through Upstream and Downstream Approaches. This Funding Has Enabled LCPH to Gain a Data Driven Understanding of Where Resources Need to Be Invested to Support Improvements in the Current Systems. LCPH Is Seeking a Total of $4,965,059.53 Over the Course of Five Years.six Zip Codes Within Lorain County Will Be Considered as the Target Population: 44035, 44055, 44052, 44054, 44053, and 44074. Between 2019-2021, Women on Medicaid in These Zip Codes Experienced an Infant Mortality Rate of 9.4 and a Pre-term Birth Rate of 12.1. Our Approach Will Enhance Already Existing Partnerships and Networks Currently Focusing on Maternal and Child Health Through Strategic Coordination of Resources, as Well as Center Around the Formation of a Community Consortium, Bringing Together Healthcare Providers, Community Organizations, Local Government Agencies, and Other Stakeholders. This Collaborative Effort Will Facilitate a Unified Response to the Complex Challenges Surrounding Infant Mortality, Ensuring a Coordinated and Efficient Delivery of Services. Through the Enhancement of Direct and Enabling Services, LCPH and Its Partners Will Continue to Build Up the Community Health Worker and Doula Workforce, in Addition to Concentrating Efforts With Clinical Partners. a Special Emphasis Will Be Placed on Mental and Behavioral Health. in Addition, LCPH Will Mobilize a Community Consortium Around a Strategic Plan to Address the Social Determinants of Health That Are Negatively Impacting Birth Outcomes. the Work of the Consortium Will Be Directly Financially Supported in an Effort to Demonstrate a True Commitment to the Implementation of Ideas. by Combining Direct Services With Enabling Interventions and Fostering Collaboration Through a Community Consortium, This Initiative Aims to Create a Comprehensive, Sustainable, and Community-driven Approach to Reduce Infant Mortality Rates in Lorain County. the Success of This Project Will Not Only Be Measured by Statistical Improvements But by the Strengthened Bonds Within the Community and the Lasting Impact on the Health and Well-being of the County.