[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6151687,"mediaKeyId","5501427-efdf1e0c2577fe608bc05eed62ca0d01","parentId",5501427,"title","Cradle Cincinnati reports long-term drop in infant mortality but flags rise in sleep-related deaths","audioSeconds",1261,"startMs",3940000,"endMs",5201000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5501427-efdf1e0c2577fe608bc05eed62ca0d01&start=3940&end=5201","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5501427-efdf1e0c2577fe608bc05eed62ca0d01/thumbnail_3940000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6151687/Hamilton-County/Ohio/Cradle-Cincinnati-reports-long-term-drop-in-infant-mortality-but-flags-rise-in-sleep-related-deaths","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151687-35c591796fe21f567f6c516a5e74fda9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770575240&Signature=WHIfajLD7BNTjY-9BjcfeBYounIj~DNvYgJICri8NH6i0~R1EwZwqLIIeW3ELG4yqmJAki9UGJIijYVXrsi4nYq922uiXgGSs6ffD--lVVYiha5Ma8vNyUMRCmynS~dToveDF6zhMNp8xokjAK1L6eDc-EwCBOfPVbnPIV4-TobiExYWBxmqA6b9slRUPTgUecVa~IuYimud0K5NH7hhEKIqhsUaHEPHS-5EUpnqIvAFqOLJV~xKzi-y9j2lupI6huJTe4KRBc1clnAipYdPFiwL0CxTAizGXwHhkspfe1VEN5gj5UNnGMfzOO88Ba1~BWPiAj0KdrqICEnBUwvn8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hamilton County OH","date","2025-07-30T03:29:14Z","article","Cradle Cincinnati, county health departments report progress on infant mortality and target safe-sleep outreach.
At the July 29 Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners meeting, Cradle Cincinnati, joined by Hamilton County Public Health and the Cincinnati Health Department, reported a long-term decline in infant mortality since Cradle’s 2011 launch but emphasized an uptick in sleep-related deaths in recent data and announced expanded outreach and a planned safe-sleep summit.
Lauren Everett, associate director of Cradle Cincinnati, told commissioners that infant deaths countywide have fallen roughly 50% between 2009 and 2024 and that the county reached the national average in 2023. The presentation said the leading cause of infant death historically has been extreme preterm birth but that sleep-related deaths have become a larger share of the remaining cases and now require renewed attention.
Cradle’s analysis of 2024 sleep-related deaths found that 27% involved unsafe use of nursing pillows (used as or left in sleep spaces) and 53% involved cobedding (an infant sharing a sleeping surface where another person rolled over on the infant). Officials said all sleep-related deaths in the dataset involved infants younger than six months, with many occurring between one and three months of age.
Hamilton County Public Health Commissioner Greg Kesterman and Cincinnati Health Department Commissioner Dr. Grant Musman described local health-department supports, including vital-statistics analysis, community health workers, clinic-based prenatal care and a Cribs-for-Kids program. Cradle Cincinnati described planned activity including a partner task force meeting in August, a safe-sleep summit in September, a digital ad campaign in summer/fall and a larger communications push in early 2026. The group said it will target ZIP codes with the highest rates of extreme preterm birth and sleep-related deaths for outreach and services.
Cradle Cincinnati noted that the initiative’s model is being used as a template in other Ohio cities; the governor’s office and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth invited Cradle to help spread the model to Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo beginning in May 2025.
Commissioners offered to issue a proclamation for Safe Sleep Awareness Month in October and asked presenters about socioeconomic patterns in the impacted ZIP codes; presenters said socioeconomic factors, access to care and household circumstances are being explored through community advisory groups and focus groups that engage affected families, including researchers from the community.
Cradle and the health departments asked commissioners and county staff to support expanded safe-sleep communications, increased access to doulas and postpartum supports, and ongoing data-driven, place-based outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hamilton County Commissioners Staff Meeting 7/29/25","oneSentenceSummary","Cradle Cincinnati and local health departments told commissioners the county has seen a roughly 50% decline in infant mortality since 2009 but that sleep-related deaths have in recent data increased as a share of infant deaths; the groups plan a safe-sleep summit and targeted communications in high-need ZIP codes.","taxTitle","Hamilton County, Ohio","taxId",2657,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6151690,"TLRC flags steep reserve decline for developmental-disabilities levy; committee urges cost-bending and service-priority analysis",685,3209000,3894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5501427-efdf1e0c2577fe608bc05eed62ca0d01&start=3209&end=3894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5501427-efdf1e0c2577fe608bc05eed62ca0d01/thumbnail_3209000.jpg","/articles/6151690/Hamilton-County/Ohio/TLRC-flags-steep-reserve-decline-for-developmental-disabilities-levy-committee-urges-cost-bending-and-service-priority-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151690-fc489ea971b64df144a6042d903a08c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770575240&Signature=VLBKabpPyCJbYZQDoHC3v85V7tzANJwbH~dhYZa~wBEkIJI-0kQLh3c5ce45pkhIneHDFCPAuGPZqvDq~TJLsxPbIoSTafwhjSDXP0l3-WkNQl37Asnr3y2-f6hgoxuZ9ZR6RQynMbDOLRMgI3IygjPP53lHwSHyR0BYWbjnXYcVzZGJTJRi6hc0KfyxY1esbzxCY9FfBdSM885VPMwW6xfwi0rNwGNgqB8TWTfTkay1CF2LQ2KV~Vkl4FlcH1qFTXYxI13IJEVNoEqQ-HiC8~lcw2x7-9Pd-gwBPL1SqyBSg4qNBYy9SnmpdRs8PigerDxn2JkQi5~IrS3UjohRwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TLRC warns of sharp reserve drawdown for developmental-disabilities levy; calls for strategic planning.
At the July 29 meeting the Tax Levy Review Committee delivered an annual review of the developmental-disabilities (DD) levy, reporting that reserves would fall from roughly $130 million at the start of 2025 to a projected $6 million by the end of the five-year levy period unless costs are brought down or revenues change.
TLRC member Eric Landon said the levy faces two main pressures: rising provider costs and a projected increase in the number of Medicaid waivers over the coming five years. The committee noted that the $130 million starting balance was in part inflated by federal COVID-era funds and that the levy is funding mandated services that cannot legally be placed on a waiting list under current state rules.
Landon said the committee asked the Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) agency to identify steps to bend the cost curve and to separate mandated from nonmandated services so commissioners and staff can weigh choices about potential service reductions or program redesigns. He said the committee preferred advance, strategic adjustments to avoid emergency cuts later in the levy cycle.
Commissioners asked for additional detail about how many clients receive mandated services versus discretionary services; TLRC said it had requested that breakdown from DDS and did not yet have the number. The committee reported that DDS serves more than 10,430 clients annually (presentation update) and that the levy’s annual revenue is roughly $77.6 million. Because many DD services are mandated, the committee emphasized that choices about cuts would have legal and programmatic consequences for people receiving waivers.
The TLRC recommended that DDS pursue cost-reduction strategies that mitigate service loss where possible and asked DDS to provide a clearer accounting of mandated versus nonmandated expenditures.","The Tax Levy Review Committee told commissioners that reserves for the developmental-disabilities levy are projected to fall sharply over the five-year cycle and recommended that the county and DDS plan for cost reductions and prioritize mandatory services to avoid emergency cuts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6151695,"TLRC: senior-services levy generally stable but low reserves and transportation remain concerns",843,2327000,3170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5501427-efdf1e0c2577fe608bc05eed62ca0d01&start=2327&end=3170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5501427-efdf1e0c2577fe608bc05eed62ca0d01/thumbnail_2327000.jpg","/articles/6151695/Hamilton-County/Ohio/TLRC-senior-services-levy-generally-stable-but-low-reserves-and-transportation-remain-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151695-9b424d86ff74bbb3ffa8d50dbe306ef7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770575240&Signature=eUOhN3hSghIU2kfXXjPZjXWThCocxZagzrIVOs3oToRybHXz8JXMIKAMOWrLh~1sEhKycnsb9vUH4yHXYOHoNR4NrXTcvYFyoGI9zCwDHGiZ7yzpiaFtUeeQ53zhTU4I5aVQ7CGemyVxZHJ9npV3B2wGX5YC~nk5qmCtR6ESYDSIT-jFbvw5k5WSEbFZOCgwhN8VdvOw1UjPoNj6fL0S5TzKzVfrFfYrSa1xH01LMNHIxeadQVSszjQbxF9f8XLOi6gTyc~am9WB9mSAdB4J2nUXpDSHUSTgwkRMXUAejfQ21MFB21nG36vwdbzmJPz9jPexIRVE10v26PrrDHgiLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TLRC praises Council on Aging but flags low end-of-cycle reserve and transport needs.
At the July 29 Hamilton County commission meeting the Tax Levy Review Committee reported that the senior-services levy is generally well managed, primarily through the Council on Aging (COA), but committee members highlighted a modest projected reserve at the end of the levy period and ongoing transportation and caregiver-support needs.
Jenny O’Donnell, chair of the TLRC senior-services review, said COA receives the bulk of levy funds and that home-based services (including in-home assistance and Meals on Wheels) are the largest cost drivers. The committee noted COA’s cost-containment efforts — including operational changes such as centralized laundry pickup for certain services — and said COA has been creative in holding costs while maintaining services.
The TLRC reported a projected 2025 carryover balance for the senior-services levy of about $13.8 million (budget basis) and an end-of-levy projection of roughly $3.7 million. Committee members characterized that end-of-cycle projection as “a little bit low” but said COA’s ability to modify nonmandated services gives the levy flexibility.
The committee also reviewed other levy-funded programs that target seniors: adult protective services (nine Jobs and Family Services workers investigating elder abuse), Veterans Service Commission assistance (up to $250,000 annually for housing, utilities or transportation for qualifying veterans or spouses) and a caregiver-support program (Closing the Health Gap, receiving about $250,000) focused on outreach and education for family caregivers. The TLRC highlighted that Meals on Wheels provides more than nutrition — noting its role in daily social contact and in some guardianship work — and said federal funding reductions could strain these services.
Commissioners asked about transportation partnerships, including possible coordination with SORTA and Medicare Advantage funding, and the committee said COA is exploring alternatives and specialized subcontractors to provide curb-to-door or door-through-door service needs that conventional transit providers may not meet.
The committee recommended continued monitoring and requested reserve details for future reports. No formal levy changes were proposed at the meeting.","The Tax Levy Review Committee reported that Council on Aging and other levy-funded partners are managing senior services effectively, but the levy’s projected end-of-cycle reserves are modest and transportation and caregiver-support needs remain pressing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6151701,"TLRC: mental-health levy expanded services and stabilized providers but remains vulnerable to Medicaid changes",462,1856000,2318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5501427-efdf1e0c2577fe608bc05eed62ca0d01&start=1856&end=2318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5501427-efdf1e0c2577fe608bc05eed62ca0d01/thumbnail_1856000.jpg","/articles/6151701/Hamilton-County/Ohio/TLRC-mental-health-levy-expanded-services-and-stabilized-providers-but-remains-vulnerable-to-Medicaid-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151701-f4181b8bd0672a3dc18c38abd095cbd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770575240&Signature=QGoFtfrrylmvQpt0fAeJF9dJwtEAG~xYNiDvDBYFwwgBMvhEPVs9b-An0WXE80CurtyB1yegJV3~7RXSs8b~VIUaGvPoM~C8Vg6jCiev02kZNO~tOiszYk9Ft0Tw6HxQvRSeTw8VJnRbOeQ5LX5TRv3NcePyyu1k5opLLumQzu-o5icFN7E0EKyXRgpDnsm-aS78P19uVxStIIoytrMeJ5s9mDe0L0~MUXQ2S2ClMdEmV-48Pe74eAjC2WLuxiEri7mNULVEJ2KLk8axcNR8q8ODdVL-d7VPhm4CreHCc9FKNgaPjHtP2CqI6DfEWHYoUfCPWlYb-uVVG~DBIoy3Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TLRC finds mental-health levy investments have expanded crisis response and stabilized community providers.
The Tax Levy Review Committee’s midpoint review presented to the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners on July 29 said the 2022 mental-health levy increase has supported higher provider rates, expanded crisis services and housing support, and investments in workforce development — while recommending ongoing monitoring for workforce stability and Medicaid-related financial risks.
Chrissy, identified by TLRC staff as the mental-health levy review chair, told commissioners the levy supports services serving more than 30,000 residents annually, with about 86% low-income and 54% people of color, and that new leadership at the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (CEO Leonora Godfrey) has prioritized provider stability. The committee cited faster payment schedules, contract-rate increases, expansion of 24/7 mobile response and school-based suicide-prevention, growth in supportive housing and wraparound services such as HomeLink, and workforce investments including recruitment and retention efforts.
Assistant city administrator Lisa Webb told commissioners the mental-health levy has been utilizing fund balance since its last increase. The committee’s budget figures show a projected 2025 carryover balance of roughly $29 million and a projected balance of about $12.5 million at the time the levy would come up for renewal in 2027 (projections based on 2025 budget, not actuals).
Committee members stressed that sustainability hinges in part on Medicaid expansion and warned that a rollback or reduction in federal funding could force major service cuts. The TLRC recommended continued monitoring of workforce stability, crisis-response funding and potential Medicaid changes.
The committee listed the 2025 midpoint review as a status check midway through the five-year levy cycle; the next comprehensive review ahead of a 2027 ballot decision would begin in January 2027. The report did not propose immediate policy changes; commissioners asked TLRC to include reserve numbers and to continue tracking financial risks.","The Tax Levy Review Committee said the 2022 mental-health levy increase has stabilized community providers and expanded crisis and housing services but warned that future Medicaid changes could force cuts.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6151705,"Tax levy review finds indigent-care levy financially stable but vulnerable to federal funding changes",415,1216000,1631000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5501427-efdf1e0c2577fe608bc05eed62ca0d01&start=1216&end=1631","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5501427-efdf1e0c2577fe608bc05eed62ca0d01/thumbnail_1216000.jpg","/articles/6151705/Hamilton-County/Ohio/Tax-levy-review-finds-indigent-care-levy-financially-stable-but-vulnerable-to-federal-funding-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151705-5a8c26f8c72e9c58391d493b766a783b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770575240&Signature=DFQWLoObqich3wqdLFl0Gq96Il0Y-iTKx1GPddaAlFoQjRCQdqGUmvKrgMJnQQVHJw5EJ1NLxdcfHl978CYgllJF2bkq8rWVaN~y5L~ebqD7rpgJndrRPpjjff~mWg4cp-~LJNt9T7JEpfgXgGmZvKxHYWQoks793Edemz5sBzFElxhfcn4DVYHfYT~CM8hn6pUNyJPTB0-jAvBk~7Z0Sra-hq1eEYCbn-XtU-OT3nDrOY7UQklF3jDgUGR0ulKlbDmAXfjBHZQY0nMvMwwz2TGJuTPziYsWuAaYfG01lyCVhbhIJE4-gAUoIosmHopYI2pin1NOLU640zc3Z7Qakg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Indigent-care levy review shows current reserves but warns of federal funding risk.
The Tax Levy Review Committee told the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners on July 29 that the county’s indigent-care levy is in good financial condition after implementing memorandum-of-understanding (MOU) agreements and cost-containment steps, but committee members cautioned that reductions in federal funding or changes to Medicaid could sharply reduce services to underinsured and uninsured residents.
The committee’s midpoint review highlighted several implemented changes intended to clarify responsibilities and control costs. Committee member Gwen McFarlane and assistant city administrator Lisa Webb reported that MOUs now define agency responsibilities and performance metrics for levy-funded programs; a cost-containment plan caps sheriff inmate-health and related sheriff staffing at 38% of levy expenditures with excess spending to be covered from other sources; and the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board released more than $1.4 million in previously encumbered funds back to the levy.
Committee members said the levy supports health and hospital services provided through University of Cincinnati Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and funds county public-health programs, charitable pharmacy services, homeless medical services and probate-court guardianship work. The probate court used levy money to hire a second guardianship investigator and has proposed adding a third investigator to meet demonstrated need.
The review also reflected a recent state-level legal change that allows individual hospitals to participate in a state-directed payment (SDP) program. Staff modified levy contract language to permit UC Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to use levy payments toward SDP eligibility, and the committee said staff are monitoring that change to ensure it does not reduce the charity-care level historically provided by levy-funded programs.
Financial figures presented to commissioners included a projected 2025 carryover balance for the indigent-care levy of about $19 million and an expected fund balance of roughly $16 million at the end of the five-year plan, before accounting for encumbrances. Assistant city administrator Lisa Webb told commissioners the levy is a roughly $80 million-per-year levy and that it typically spends less in early years and more in later years because of rising costs.
Committee discussion emphasized that many county programs and justice-center obligations are funded through this levy. Members urged continued monitoring of provider finances and of potential federal or Medicaid changes that could increase demand or reduce available funding.
No formal policy changes or levy submissions to voters were made at the meeting; the committee’s report was presented as the final scheduled presentation of its midpoint reviews for the four levies under review.
Looking ahead, commissioners asked the committee to include reserve balances at the end of the five-year levy periods for all levies in future reports and to continue monitoring the potential effects of Medicaid and federal funding changes.","A Tax Levy Review Committee presentation to the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners said MOUs, a new cost-containment cap for sheriff spending and released encumbrances have strengthened the indigent-care levy, but committee members warned that changes to federal funding or Medicaid could sharply reduce services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cradle Cincinnati reports long-term drop in infant mortality but flags rise in sleep-related deaths

TLRC flags steep reserve decline for developmental-disabilities levy; committee urges cost-bending and service-priority analysis

TLRC: senior-services levy generally stable but low reserves and transportation remain concerns

TLRC: mental-health levy expanded services and stabilized providers but remains vulnerable to Medicaid changes

Tax levy review finds indigent-care levy financially stable but vulnerable to federal funding changes