City of Akron, Summit County Public Health, and United Way of Summit and Medina Launch New Full Term First Birthday Program

Akron, Ohio, March 19, 2025  — The City of Akron, along with its lead partners in the Full Term First Birthday (FTFB) collaborative - Summit County Public Health (SCPH) and United Way of Summit and Medina - have launched a community-based Infant Health Fund to reduce infant mortality disparities. The Infant Health Fund will award up to 10 grants ranging from $3,000-$5,000 to eligible community-based organizations working in the areas of maternal health, breastfeeding support, safe sleep education, infant nutrition, early childhood development, and other related efforts. The organizations must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) or have a fiscal sponsor and they must serve Akron neighborhoods with high infant mortality rates. View the application here.

The application for the Infant Health Fund is open and can be found on the Full Term First Birthday initiative website here. Applications can be submitted via email to FTFB@schd.org and must be submitted by April 18, 2025 at 5:00pm. Questions can be sent to FTFB@schd.org by March 26, 2025. Awards will be announced in early June.

These grants can be used for program supplies such as car seats, breastfeeding supplies, bus passes, etc., participant/program incentives, and staff training. The funds cannot be used for salaries, lobbying, or entertainment. Grantees will be required to participate in a monthly call with FTFB partners and will attend a FTFB retreat in fall 2025.

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“I’m proud to launch a new Full Term First Birthday program to help combat the growing disparity in infant mortality rates in our communities,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “Data tells us that while the infant mortality rates for both Black and white babies have declined in Ohio, the disparity between the two is actually growing. This means that not only are Black babies dying at a higher rate than white babies, but that the disparity between those numbers is actually increasing. By helping fund the boots on the ground organizations who are directly working with the communities most impacted by this disparity, we hope to make a difference in the data and help all infants in our city reach important milestones like their first birthday.”

“Summit County Public Health is excited to launch the Infant Health Fund in collaboration with Full Term First Birthday partners,” said Christopher Barker Summit County Public Health Commissioner. “The Infant Health Fund will allow us to support organizations that are deeply imbedded in Akron neighborhoods.”

“This fund is a new and energetic strategy to drive meaningful change in our community, allowing us to invest directly in initiatives that improve birth outcomes and reduce infant mortality in Akron,” said Annie McFadden, interim President and CEO of United Way of Summit & Medina.

"We are thrilled to work with our coalition members to support community-based programs," said Richelle Wardell, City of Akron’s Education and Health Strategist, who, along with SCPH Director of Family Health Shaleeta Washington, will oversee the fund. "Through shared experiences and understanding, grassroots organizations have built trusted relationships over time and can serve as bridges between families and healthcare systems, helping them navigate prenatal care, advocate for themselves, and feel safe to ask questions."

"The launch of the Infant Health Fund offers a valuable opportunity for local organizations and initiatives dedicated to family health and well-being to expand their reach,” said SCPH Director of Family Health Shaleeta Washington. “I believe that collaboration through this fund will have a positive impact on the children and families in our community."

Full Term First BirthdayFull Term First Birthday is a collective impact collaborative advocating for policies, educating our community, and informing our Greater Akron citizens about programs that promote healthy, full-term pregnancies and ensure every child celebrates a first birthday. FTFB is a data-driven initiative that relies on evidence- and community-based practices, field research and most importantly, the community's voice. Together, working with a number of local agencies, FTFB addresses issues like the intersection between race, equity, infant mortality and preterm birth, with the goal of eliminating sleep-related infant deaths in Summit County. Led by the City of Akron, Summit County Public Health, and United Way of Summit & Medina, FTFB collaborates with hospitals, grassroots organizations, and other nonprofits to drive lasting change. Learn more about the collaborative and its initiatives at fulltermfirstbirthday.org.