The Junior League of Toledo is partnering with Paramount Advantage, a subsidiary of ProMedica that provides personalized services for individuals in their Medicaid plan and Getting to 1, a coalition of nonprofit organizations that works to encourage better birth outcomes by reducing racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality in Lucas County with the goal of ending diaper need for low-income families in the Toledo area. The Junior League of Toledo established its own diaper bank, called “As We Grow,” in June this year. 

In Lucas County, the need is great with recent figures in the Ohio Poverty Report 2019 of a poverty level at 19.8%, which is the highest in the state. Babies without clean diapers are exposed to more potential health risks and women who have diaper needs for their children report more difficulty with stress management, postpartum depression and trauma, which can impact a child’s health and development.

The Junior League of Toledo will work with both Paramount Advantage and Getting to 1 to provide basic infant supplies such as diapers, wipes and diaper rash creams to Lucas County infants and families who cannot afford them, all of which are integral to infant development and the mental health of mothers.

The League will be raising money and procuring supplies from the community to directly benefit their community partners, who will then distribute them directly to their clients.