Full Term First Birthday (FTFB)
is a collective impact collaborative advocating for policies, educating our community, and informing our Greater Akron citizens about programs that promote healthy, full-term pregnancies and ensure every child celebrates a first birthday. FTFB is a data-driven initiative that relies on evidence- and community-based practices, field research and most importantly, the community's voice. Together, working with a number of local agencies, FTFB addresses issues like the interplay between race, equity, infant mortality and preterm birth, with the goal of eliminating sleep-related infant deaths in Summit County.
VIEW THE 2023-2028 FULL TERM FIRST BIRTHDAY STRATEGIC PLAN HERE
MATERNAL AND INFANT GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Grant Opportunity - Apply Today
Summit County Public Health (SCPH) is eligible to apply for funding through the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) Maternal and Infant Support Program (MISP) SCPH is inviting non-profit and faith-based organizations, public or private universities/colleges, and/or early care and learning entities in Summit County that serve pregnant women and families with infants (up to one year of age) to apply. Selected proposals will be included in a comprehensive, community-wide grant submission coordinated by SCPH. The submission deadline for applications is October 17, 2025 at 11:59pm. Email questions to infantvitality@schd.org. Click on the links below for required grant documents.
SCPH New RFP & Application
SCPH MISP Budget Template
THE ISSUE
Black babies in our community are dying two to three times more often than White babies. Full Term First Birthday is working to achieve health equity in our community by ensuring access to services that will support individuals of Greater Akron from preconception to postpartum.
THE FACTS
FTFB HIGHLIGHTS
PROJECT MILK MISSION
BREASTFEEDING BASICS
BIRTHING BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITIES
DOULAS
FATHERS AND SONS OF NE OHIO
FATHERHOOD SUPPORT
GREENLEAF FAMILY CENTER
MOMS AND BABIES FIRST
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
HELP ME GROW HOME VISITING
AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
SAFE SLEEP AND CRIBS FOR KIDS
WHY ARE BABIES DYING?
Prematurity
Prematurity is the leading cause of infant mortality in Summit County, accounting for approximately 40% of deaths in 2020. Enroll today to learn more about preconception and pregnancy health practices that will decrease your risk factors.
Sleep-Related
In 2020, approximately 30% of infant deaths in Summit County were sleep related. Remember the ABC’s of safe sleep: alone, back, and in crib.
Racial Disparity
FTFB is focused on educating the community about toxic stress before, during, and after pregnancies by collaborating directly with the local hospital systems and by helping to address the social determinants of health, such as housing, transportation, and childcare.
EVENTS
Full Term First Birthday would love for you to join us at a community event. From conferences to baby showers, we love to celebrate healthy families and first birthdays.
SEP 24th
TOXIC: A Black Woman’s Story
Time: 5:30 pm
Location: House 330 | 532 W. Market St., Akron
OCT 11th
HARVESTING HEALTHY FAMILIES
Time: 1pm – 3:30pm
Location: Patterson Park | 800 Patterson Ave. | Akron
OCT 15th
WAVE OF LIGHT
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: United Way Summit & Medina | 37 N. High St. | Akron
DONATE
Your donations allow us to help mothers in crisis. Learn more about
donating to our emergency fund here.
