Community diaper bank rolling out assistance

STEUBENVILLE -- A new community diaper bank began distribution Monday, serving Jefferson County residents experiencing diaper need for their children.

Operated by staff of the Jefferson County General Health District, the diaper bank provides monthly diaper assistance to individuals with children in a target age range of newborn to 3 years.

"We're really excited that it's up and starting," said Kylie Smogonovich, nursing director for the health department and diaper bank director. "Diaper need is something that can go as an unseen public health need that families can be experiencing. ... We're really happy to be able to serve the residents of Jefferson County in this way."

Individuals experiencing diaper need can fill out a need assessment survey online or at the health department's office on the sixth floor of the Jefferson County Tower building, 301 Market St. The health department will contact eligible individuals, who must be Jefferson County residents and meet certain income criteria.

"I still have been encouraging people who don't quite fit that criteria to ... fill out the survey if they are experiencing diaper need to help us look at needs in the future or potentially connect them with another local resource that could help them if we can't," Smogonovich said.

Once-per-month diaper pickups at the health department's office can be done during normal business hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday from noon to 5:30 p.m.; and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Individuals will fill out a formal application upon their first visit.

Families receive a diaper package for each eligible child in the family, Smogonovich said. Packages can include between 15 and 25 pre-wrapped diapers dependent on size, with 25 diapers for premature to size five and 15 diapers for size six to pull-ups.

Planned for about a year, the diaper bank is a response to unmet diaper need across the county, Smogonovich said, adding that there is currently no federal assistance for diaper need available. Diaper banks have been typically organized on a regional scale, she said, and a gap existed in Jefferson County until now.

Diaper need occurs when an individual is running out of or having a difficult time paying for diapers, Smogonovich said. It is often characterized by individuals having to choose between purchasing diapers and paying to meet other needs.

According to the 45 needs assessment survey responses, 42 percent of those experiencing diaper need are employed, Smogonovich said. To her, this exemplifies how diaper need "expands across all demographics and situations of life."

Furthermore, 70 percent reported paying less on utility bills or other expenses to have enough money for diapers, and 40 percent reported having negative mental health because of diaper need-related stress.

Of the 45 responders, 50 were eligible for the diaper bank program, Smogonovich said. Those that weren't were not eligible because they lived outside of Jefferson County.

Smogonovich said the diaper bank currently has about 26,000 diapers stocked, and she hopes to distribute around 50,000 by year's end.

Crystal Byard, the diaper bank's first beneficiary, said of the program: "I think it's great because there's a lot of kids out there that need the diapers but their parents can't afford them, and then they get a rash and health issues from not having them."

Receiving diapers for her 1-and-a-half-year-old, Ashley Kirkpatrick said, "The price of diapers is crazy. ... (The diaper bank) is going to help a lot."

Heather Cordle, who received diapers for her 6-month-old son, said, "Diapers are very expensive, along with everything else. It definitely helps out women that are in need -- taking care of your kids is really important. ... It's great to have (the diaper bank) here."

Present at on the diaper bank's opening day was Mara Mellott, growth and community engagement specialist for Molina Healthcare, the diaper bank's main financial sponsor. Based out of Columbus but present in all 88 Ohio counties, Molina provides free health insurance for individuals based on income.

"We are happy to partner with (the health department) to help infants to get to a good start," Mellott said. "Many families are struggling right now to make ends meet and it's extremely difficult to do so when there are so many basic needs that must be met for a newborn.

"Molina is not only committed to connecting its members to quality health care but also helping the communities we serve. ... Expectant mothers need all the support that they can get as they start this new chapter in life. This is why this partnership is so important to us."

The health department is accepting donations of any size or brand of diapers, as well as baby wipes, during its open hours, Smogonovich said in October. The department also accepts tax-deductible monetary donations.