CelebrateOne Secures $3.39 Million Investment to Expand Maternal and Infant Health Support Across Columbus

CelebrateOne, the City of Columbus’ infant mortality initiative established under Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, has secured a $3,390,000 grant extension from the Ohio Department of Medicaid to expand the Enhanced Maternal Health Program across Franklin County.

The funding will support 15 community-based organizations providing prenatal and parenting education, maternal mental health services, doula support, lactation support, fatherhood engagement, legal services, and connections to prenatal and postpartum care for pregnant and parenting residents across Columbus.

This investment strengthens a coordinated network of care rooted in trusted community providers, ensuring families can access trusted support in their communities. It also sustains CelebrateOne’s Connector Corps, community health workers who walk alongside families throughout pregnancy and postpartum, helping them navigate services and stay connected to care.

“We know families don’t navigate systems, they trust people. And right now, too many are still falling through the gaps. This investment puts real resources behind the community partners families already trust so they can show up for them when it matters most,” said Danielle Tong, Executive Director of CelebrateOne.

The grant, administered by the Ohio Department of Medicaid, runs through June 30, 2027 and positions CelebrateOne as the lead coordinating agency for maternal and infant health efforts across Franklin County.

Funded Partners:

• Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA) of Central Ohio

• Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio

• City of Refuge Good Life Foundation

• The Ohio State University (Moms2Be)

• Physicians CareConnection

• Project Milk Mission

• Mental Health America of Ohio, Inc.

• Urban Family Development Center/Dads2B

• PrimaryOne Health

• The Center for Healthy Families, Inc.

• OhioHealth

• Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers

• mOBINurses Inc.

• Lower Lights Christian Health Center, Inc.

• Restoring Our Own Through Transformation