Community Wellness Partners receive $2M to tackle infant mortality

Community Wellness Partners of St. Joseph County have been awarded more than $2 million dollars to address infant mortality throughout Michiana. 

The latest research shows communities of color have the highest rate of infant deaths. For black people, it's more than double the rate of the state average. 

According to the Indiana State Department of Health, 60 of the 91 black Michiana infants that died were in St. Joseph County. 

Community Wellness Partners says they will use this money for programs to help families take care of their newborns in St. Joseph, Elkhart, LaPorte and Marshall counties.

"It's making sure they have all the wrap around service they need," said Karl Nichols, executive director of Community Wellness Partners. "If they need resume writing assistance. If they need clothes or food or assistance with shelter. We are going to be helping with all those wrap around services, not just medical, to make sure that baby has a fighting chance to survive."

ABC 57 will update you on the progress.