Monroe County allocates $4.6 million to improve maternal and infant health

Monroe County announced a $4.6 million investment from American Rescue Plan Act funds to support community programs designed to reduce racial and economic disparities in prenatal and postpartum care and strengthen long-term support for mothers and families.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced on April 1 that the county will invest $4.6 million in programs aimed at improving maternal and infant health. The funding comes from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money that the county legislature approved in October 2025. County leaders said the investment is intended to reduce racial and economic disparities in prenatal and postpartum care and to strengthen support systems for families. Officials framed the effort as aligned with recommendations from the county's 2021 Racial and Structural Equity report, which examined disparities in birth outcomes. Key details: - The county is directing $4.6 million in ARPA funds to community-based programs focused on prenatal and postpartum care. - United Way of Greater Rochester will expand its ROC Family Teleconnects program to contact participating families within three weeks of birth and provide telehealth and home-visiting services. - Mt. Hope Family Center will run a free home-visiting program for low-income families and people of color; the program will be available to families who give birth at Strong Memorial Hospital and Highland Hospital and will include a planned comprehensive evaluation. - The University of Rochester Medical Center Public Health Science Department will administer the Mothers and Babies Health Survey 3.0 to all Monroe County mothers who give birth in 2026 to gather data on infant feeding and related practices. - Equally Balanced Therapy & Wellness PLLC will offer the P.A.M.P.E.R. Mom program, providing prenatal medical massage in the third trimester to low-income and uninsured Monroe County mothers. Summary: The investment directs ARPA funds to several local programs that officials say aim to expand access to care and address inequities identified in the county's equity report. The 2021 report cited higher risks for Black and Latino infants and higher rates of low-weight births among Black and Latina mothers. Undetermined at this time is the full timeline for each program's rollout beyond the planned 2026 survey and Mt. Hope Family Center's stated evaluation plans.