Ohio Communities Without Barriers

Day Out with Daddy

UHC and the Cincinnati Ohio Health Department partnered for a “Day Out with Daddy” event during Men’s Health Week. Eric Washington, Men’s Health Initiative Program Coordinator, and Valerie Hawn, UHC Relationship Specialist, promoted and planned the event. Valerie stated, “We noticed during our community baby showers the lack of men in attendance. It just isn’t the mother who is raising the baby, but also dads. We wanted to create a fun, yet educational opportunity for fathers to participate in as well. That way, there is comprehensive education around what to expect when baby arrives.”

The event included a cook out, Kona Ice snow cones, free haircuts, dancing, a bounce house, games, and raffle prizes. Special appearances were made by Rosie Red of the Cincinnati Reds, and UHC’s Dr. Healthy Hound. MTM’s Education, Training, and Outreach (ETO) Coordinator was available for members with transportation questions, and passed out raffle tickets for the event. The Cincinnati Health Department had staff available with educational materials for dads, as well as lead testing. Other vendors who participated included UHC Medicare Solutions, Ohio Means Jobs, Hamilton County Public Defender, Cincinnati Police Department Young Explorers Program, and RM, Real Men Now.

Community Baby Shower

UHC Relationship Specialist Mercedes Carr hosted a community baby shower at Signature Health in Ashtabula, Ohio, a multi-disciplinary clinic serving UHC members. Signature Health, located in the refurbished Hotel Ashtabula  and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, was a beautiful venue for the event. The program included games, prizes, and presentations on infant first aid and CPR, nutrition, and safe sleep. MTM ETO Coordinator Joyce Witzke spoke about access to non-emergency medical transportation. A local restaurant provided a delicious lunch, and everyone went home with their arms full of farm-fresh produce donated by a local market!