White, House Pass Legislation to Help Mothers, Infants, Children

COLUMBUS – State Representative Andrea White’s (R-Kettering) legislation to address Ohio’s s staggering infant and maternal mortality rates and improve mothers’ and infants’ health, learning and development outcomes has passed out of the Ohio House Wednesday.

The legislation, named the Strong Foundations Act, provides access to critical prenatal, postnatal, infant and toddler services and supports to help children, mothers and families thrive during the first 1,000 days of life. 

To accomplish this multi-pronged approach, House Bill 7 expands existing evidence-based strategies, adds innovative approaches and technology, while leveraging the power of relationships in local communities to move the needle for Ohioans. This critical care is especially crucial in Ohio where more than 1 in 150 Ohio babies don’t live to see their first birthday. 

“No question, we have a staggering problem on our hands.  We must invest in the futures of pregnant moms, infants and children now or in some cases there won’t be an opportunity to do so later – we are losing far too many lives in our state,” White said. 

Ohio is ranked 44th in infant mortality and 31st in infant maltreatment. The problem impacts both rural and urban counties, White said.  One in five infants and toddlers live in poverty, and 2,000 are in foster care.

“On the surface this bill appears to be about addressing the horrific problems of infant and maternal mortality in our state and yes, it is that and so more.  We need to help our mothers, preborn, infant and toddler children get off to the best possible starts so they can truly grow and flourish to their God-given potentials.”

“The strategies in this bill are proven to generate a strong return on investment – both already here in Ohio and around the nation – both in terms of saving lives, improving the long-term trajectory of our tiniest citizens and their families…and in saving costs so we have more resources to invest in solutions that work for Ohio families,” White said. 

Key provisions of the bill include initiatives to address access to prenatal care, pregnancy and parenting education, nutrition, housing, early childhood mental health, early intervention and other wrap-around supports which impact pregnant women, fathers, infants and toddlers. The bill calls for modernizing technology to make it easier for mothers and children who qualify to apply for the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to apply for and access formula and food.  Currently almost 48% of Ohio women and children who qualify for WIC are not participating due to transportation and administrative hurdles.  

To help provide infant and toddler wraparound and child care services, HB 7 establishes a grant program for locations around the state that are experiencing high levels of infant mortality with limited access to infant and toddler child care. These grants will support new or enhanced Early Head Start child care with an emphasis on providing family support and positive learning initiatives for young children. 

The legislation will also expand access to evidence-based support programs to home visiting programs like Help Me Grow, Nurse Family Partnership, Healthy Families America, and Parents as Teachers in targeted rural, Appalachian and other communities where gaps in services exist.

White is sponsoring House Bill 7 with State Representative Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus). The legislation will now head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.