Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into a grant agreement with ROOTT (Restoring Our Own Through Transformation) in support of the organization’s holistic, community-oriented Perinatal Support Doula care.
ROOTT is a non-profit organization in Columbus, Ohio that was established in 2017 dedicated to collectively restoring the well-being of Black families. ROOTT’s integrated perinatal support model focuses on innovative interventions designed to improve perinatal conditions and birth outcomes for Black mothers and families. Since 2017, ROOTT has served over 500 families and has produced a 0% maternal and infant mortality rate.
ROOTT is in the process of establishing a Family Wellness Clinic (ROOTT FWC) to expand their services. Through the ROOTT FWC, families anchor in services with Perinatal Support Doulas that provide supportive care throughout their entire prenatal and postpartum experience. ROOTT’s Doulas can provide a variety of integrated, holistic care including:
• Nutritional evaluation and support;
• Evaluation of psychosocial needs and connections to wraparound services;
• Advocacy and support for family empowerment;
• Clinical assessments and documentation to identify early signs, symptoms, and risk factors in maternal health;
• Direct lines of communication with primary care providers; and
• Consultation as Certified Lactation Consultants.
Care provided by ROOTT doulas is supplementary to and in conjunction with the additional care a mother receives through her primary care provider, OB-GYN, and/or midwife.
ROOTT expects to serve 100 families through the Family Wellness Clinic in 2022.
Emergency action is necessary to ensure the continued provision of care to Black families through ROOTT programming.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Health Operating fund.
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to enter into a grant agreement with Restoring Our Own Through Transformation (ROOTT) to support community-oriented Perinatal Support Doula care; to authorize an expenditure within the Health Operating fund; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Restoring Our Own Through Transformation (ROOTT) provides integrated perinatal support and innovative interventions of Black families in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the infant mortality rate in Franklin County is 7.7%, and the Non-Hispanic Black infant mortality rate is over three times higher than the Non-Hispanic White infant mortality rate; and
WHEREAS, ROOTT has eradicated the infant and maternal mortality rate among their clients and seeks to expand perinatal doula care to more of the Columbus community; and
WHEREAS, ROOTT is in the process of establishing a Family Wellness Clinic (ROOTT FWC) to expand their services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Board of Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board to enter into a grant agreement with ROOTT for the preservation of the public Health, peace, property, safety and welfare, and to ensure the continued progress of ROOTT services; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Restoring Our Own Through Transformation (ROOTT) in support of the launch of their Family Wellness Clinic for a twelve-month period that begins on or after January 1, 2022.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the Health Operating fund, fund 2250, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.