ColemanA. ?n?otm ?macaw; Center Henna 313-224?34m 330'" Of? CE 2 Avenue. Surte 1126 Fax 313-2244128 or Detmrt. wwdetrommguv DETROIT July 20, 2018 Ms. Elizabeth A. Stieg Executive Director, The Carls Foundation 6001 North Adams Road, Suite 215 Bloom?eld Hills, MI 48304 Re: Letter of Support for Make Your Date Dear Ms. Stieg: On behalf of The City of Detroit, I would like to express my full support for Make Your Date?s (MYD) proposal submission to The Carls Foundation to expand their services and preterm birth reduction strategy across the City of Detroit. The need for services in Detroit are tremendous. In Detroit, 18% of babies are born premature, double the rate in the State of Michigan. Preterm birth is substantial because it is the leading cause of infant mortality worldwide and low birthweight accounts for 50% of the infant mortality in Detroit. Through education, collaboration, and partnerships with health care systems, universities, community based organizations, and other established programs, MYD aims to reduce the rate of preterm birth and increase health outcomes for babies at risk. The anticipated outcomes of the MYD program includes: - City-wide implementation of evidence-based approaches to reduce preterm birth 0 Increased access to prenatal care 0 A reduction in the rate of preterm birth 0 Increased educational opportunities for both health care providers and pregnant women concerning the strategies for preterm birth reduction and other important pregnancy-related topics 0 Continued support and education for young mothers and their babies to encourage a healthy lifestyle, and The creation of outreach services to ensure access to the program and healthcare Opportunities The goal of MYD is to impact all pregnant women of need in the City of Detroit, and was established in May 2014 as Detroit?s Plan to Reduce Preterm Birth. The City of Detroit supports Make Your Date?s efforts to reduce preterm birth and infant mortality in Detroit, and we encourage The Carls Foundation to support these efforts as well. Mike Duggan