Losing a baby is a heartbreaking tragedy for any family to endure. Yet despite, public health professionals focusing on infant mortality for years and seeing the start of positive results in some populations, Black infants in Ohio die at a rate almost three times as that of white infants. Racism and systemic inequalities may explain this sad reality as it creates disparities in health outcomes through unequal access to quality healthcare, including prenatal and postnatal care. It also contributes to other factors that may contribute to the high infant mortality rate including poverty, housing instability, and food insecurity. All of which disproportionately affect Black and African American communities and can negatively impact infant health.
To bolster positive infant and maternal health outcomes for Black and African American Families in Franklin County, FCPH started the Beautiful Beginnings Home Visiting program, in partnership with the Heart of Ohio Family Health Center and Doctor’s Hospital, and thanks to generous funding from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
One of our participating clients learned about our services during her medical appointment at the Heart of Ohio Family Health Center after giving birth to a premature baby girl, who only weighed 2.3 pounds.
During her first home visit, our client shared her concerns with our visiting nurse. Both agreed that this new mom could benefit from our supportive services, a safe sleep assessment, resource materials, and continued home visits from our nurses.
The Beautiful Beginnings Home Visiting program provides home visits and quality, client-focused care coordination services to pregnant and postpartum individuals and their infants up to age 3. It’s a nurse-led and family-oriented experience for clients.
Key focus areas:
- Reducing infant mortality
- Decreasing preterm births/low birth weight births
- Reducing maternal mortality/complications
- Infant safe sleep education
- Social Determinants of Health screening and referral
Client discussion topics may include:
- Birth and postpartum support
- Well-being
- Home safety
- Breastfeeding and nutrition
- Postpartum mental health
- Child development
An FCPH nurse worked closely with the client as she sought resources, such as Medicaid, WIC, and baby items. Although her baby was still in the NICU, the new mom and her family had much work to do to prepare for the baby’s homecoming, which can be overwhelming to all new moms.
She began pumping to supplement breastfeeding. She obtained a pack-n-play and learned more about safe sleep practices for babies. With the help of the FCPH nurse and community partners, the family also received a preemie-approved infant car seat, lactation support, appointment setting assistance, diapers and wipes, empowerment, and medical advocacy.
The client’s baby girl finally came home from the NICU on May 27, 2025, and as of June 2025, she now weighs 9 pounds and 9 ounces. She is growing stronger everyday due to the love of her family and the ongoing support of the Beautiful Beginnings Home Visiting program. We are honored to be part of this family’s story.
If you would like more information about the Beautiful Beginnings Home Visiting Program, please send an email to MCH@franklincountyohio.gov.