The Black Child Development Institute Ohio advocates for children in the state, striving to eradicate health disparities and improve their quality of life. Founded in 2017, the vital work of the affiliate of the national charity includes leading practical interventions into infant mortality. “Ohio has a high infant mortality rate,” says affiliate president and executive director Gloria Blevins, adding that they also push for policy. “We host events where new moms receive access to pack and plays, aiding the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome by providing a space for children to sleep.” BCDI Ohio also provides access to early childhood mental health services and encourages screening for lead poisoning, which can interfere with a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. Like infant mortality, lead poisoning disproportionately affects Black and Brown families, who are more likely to live in older buildings. By shaping policy and providing hands-on support, the institute bridges often-underserved communities to crucial resources.
Families take part in a community baby shower.
The Ohio organization, which is diverse led, is staffed by a team of eight and benefits from an active board of trustees. BCDI Ohio is supported by a core of 20 volunteers, who are involved in scholarship and fundraising events, and bolstered by a growing membership of 200. The organization partners with public health entities to bring lead screening facilities to different neighborhoods, and last year held the first lead advocacy day in Cleveland since 1989. It created a toolkit and informationals and reached 75,000 people throughout Ohio by partnering with the media, Blevins says. BCDI Ohio also recently conducted ‘listening’ sessions with communities across the state to obtain granular detail on the challenges affecting them, which will come to shape the organization’s policies and priorities. Long term, it is pushing for universal lead screening throughout Ohio, says Blevins: “So many things that are missed can be caught, if we had proactive steps in place towards prevention.”
Roundtable with BCDI and other environmental and climate justice leaders.