Stark County THRIVE

What is your mission, and who do you serve?
Stark County THRIVE is a Canton City Public Health program that serves pregnant and postpartum Stark County residents. Additionally, our community resource connector conducts a screening that helps identify resource needs for clients. Those resources include: baby items, safe sleep, housing, food, diapers, prenatal support, etc. Canton City Public Health is located at 420 Market Ave North Canton, OH 44702.

In 2013, Stark County was identified as 1 of 9 communities in Ohio with the highest racial disparities in birth outcomes. These communities (now at 11) are collectively known as the Ohio Equity Initiatives (OEI).

OEI ensures that the greatest drivers of infant mortality are addressed through:
Downstream Interventions: prioritizing outreach, education, and connection to services for pregnant people living in specific zip codes with priority of Black persons.
Upstream Interventions: identifying equitable policies and eliminating barriers to healthy birth outcomes. This is especially true for the Black community where infants are more likely to die before their first birthday compared to White infants
Listening and taking action based on personal stories that capture the voice of the community (not just data) to identify the needs and solutions, for equitable decision-making, and the provision of culturally appropriate services. Selecting and implementing interventions that have been shown to have the most positive impact in improving and reducing disparities in birth outcomes.

How can someone access your services/resources? Are there any eligibility requirements?
Local agencies or Stark County residents who are pregnant or postpartum (infants under age 1) may complete an online referral form at https://www.cantonohio.gov/FormCenter/Health-17/Community-Resource-Connector-Online-Refe-82 or call the community resource connector at 330-774-0158 to complete a screening that identifies resource needs.

How do we access more information about your organization and any special events/initiatives?
Please visit our website for updates https://www.cantonohio.gov/2040/Infant-Vitality—Stark-County-THRIVE and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StarkCoTHRIVE
https://www.cantonohio.gov/2272/Stark-County-Infant-Maternal-Health-Data

What is a successful outcome for your organization? How can the OhioMeansJobs centers help meet your goals?
We served 259 pregnant and 36 postpartum families last grant year which connected those families with needed resources to help improve birth outcomes in Stark County. Our goal is to serve every pregnant woman in Stark County and connect them to a community health worker. OMJ can help by providing your pregnant and postpartum clients Stark County THRIVE community resource connector referral information to get them connected to resources. Reading our annual report to understand what Stark County THRIVE is doing in Stark County. Stay connected to infant and maternal health data in our community https://www.cantonohio.gov/2272/Stark-County-Infant-Maternal-Health-Data

Stark County THRIVE community resource connector information link https://www.cantonohio.gov/2055/Community-Resource-Connector
Call or text 330-774-0158