CelebrateOne requests $2.5 million to continue infant‑mortality work; program targets disparities

CelebrateOne presented its 2025 request to the committee and highlighted priorities to reduce infant mortality and persistent racial disparities in Franklin County.

Director Tong said CelebrateOne is a place‑based collective impact initiative focused on reducing infant mortality and improving health equity so more babies reach their first birthday. The group reported the county’s infant mortality rate at 7.4 per 1,000 live births, with a persistent disparity of roughly 3.3 (a higher rate for Black infants), and said leading causes include prematurity, sleep‑related deaths and congenital conditions.

Why it matters: Committee members and guests tied maternal and infant health to broader infrastructure—transportation, housing and access to care—and praised CelebrateOne’s neighborhood‑based outreach, baby‑shower events and pregnancy‑test kit distribution.

Program scope and funding: CelebrateOne’s 2025 proposal totals $2,496,350. The organization said it operates 23 staff positions (11 general‑funded, 12 grant‑funded), with about 70% of revenue from grants and 30% from the city’s general fund. In 2024 CelebrateOne said it connected with 1,574 families, housed 58 families through a housing program, made $3.5 million in grants to local organizations serving mothers and babies and dispersed 15,000 diapers. CelebrateOne asked council to support expanded home visiting, doula Medicaid reimbursement efforts, improved first‑trimester prenatal access, and culturally tailored safe‑sleep messaging.

Council questions and context: Members asked about links between infrastructure and maternal health; CelebrateOne stressed that safe sidewalks, transit access and accessible providers affect whether families can get prenatal care and follow‑up services.

Ending: CelebrateOne said it will update its public dashboard on infant‑mortality data and continue policy and capacity work to drive local improvements.