A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers introduced a bill to address the state’s infant and maternal mortality rates and improve mothers’ and infants’ health, learning, and development outcomes.
House Bill (HB) 7, known as the “Strong Foundations Act,” sponsored by State Representatives Andrea White (R-Kettering) (pictured above, right) and Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus) (pictured above, left), aims to expand access to food, housing, transportation, and healthcare for Ohio mothers and their children.
According to White, HB 7 uses a multi-pronged strategy incorporating new methods, pilots, and technology, expanding current successful techniques, and utilizing the influence of relationships in local communities to improve mother and infant outcomes in the state.
The bill’s key provisions address issues affecting expectant mothers, young children, and toddlers, such as access to food, housing, transportation, health care, and legal services. The measure makes it possible for Medicaid to pay for doula services. It tries to spend money on technology to make it simpler for moms and kids who meet the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) requirements to apply for and obtain food and formula.
HB 7 also creates a grant program for areas of the state where access to child care is problematic. These grants will be used to support new or improved Early Head Start child care, focusing on activities that assist young children’s development and their families.
The legislation would also increase the availability of early intervention services for very young children, as well as mental health training and coaching for childcare providers and parents.
According to White, Ohio has a serious problem as more than 1 in 150 Ohio babies don’t live to see their first birthday.
“More mothers are dying from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth in Ohio than in most states and more than 1 in 150 Ohio babies don’t live to see their first birthday. We have a serious problem on our hands and we must invest in the futures of infants and children now or there won’t be an opportunity to do so later because we are losing so many lives in our state,” White said.
White noted that the prenatal and first 1000 days of a child’s existence are vitally critical for determining their future trajectory in life, either enabling them to thrive or limiting their capacity to thrive and contribute as adults.
The bill has garnered support from over 18 organizations such as the Ohio Head Start Association and Groundworks Ohio.
“The lack of investment in our state’s young children and child care leaves Ohio’s young children behind and jeopardizes our future workforce. We have all heard the statistics that only 38 percent of Ohio kindergartners entering the classroom ready to learn, and only 38 percent of Ohio students are proficient in 8th-grade math. Ohio’s workforce readiness is in jeopardy,” Julie Stone, executive director, of Ohio Head Start Association said.
The legislation is currently under review in the Ohio House Families and Aging Committee.
House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) indicated that HB 7 is one of his legislative priorities.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Andrea White” by Andrea White for Ohio. Photo “Latyna Humphrey” by The Ohio House of Representatives. Background Photo “Mother and Infant Child” by Dakota Corbin.
