JFF provides financial assistance, educational awareness, and emotional support to Jewish people who have medical fertility challenges. Based in Atlanta, JFF is thrilled to announce the opening of its second office in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Fast Facts:

1 in 6 Jewish couples face infertility at some point, and at least one study suggests the psychological symptoms associated with infertility are similar to those associated with other serious medical conditions. The rates of infertility within the Jewish community are higher than the 1 in 8 national US average, as shown below:

In Cincinnati, young adults ages 18-34 comprise 17% of Jewish households and maturing adults ages 34-49 comprise 16% of Jewish households, according to the 2008 Jewish Community Study. This means roughly 1/3 of the Cincinnati Jewish population is of child-bearing age, and statistically approximately 1 in 6 of have, are, or will face infertility. In addition, the 2008 Jewish Community Study found that younger adults ages 18-34 are “just managing” financially, compared to the other groups, making the high cost of infertility treatments all the more significant. For reference, the average cost of an IVF cycle Cincinnati is approximately $14,000. And, of course, there is no guarantee that a cycle will be successful.

JFF–CINCY’s Plans:

JFF-CINCY volunteers, with the support of JFF staff, will work together to steward our Fertility Buddies program, host educational events, award fertility grants in partnership with fertility clinic discounted rates, build community partnerships, and fundraise in order to meet the need of the Cincinnati community.

JFF-CINCY will use the models and assets already developed by JFF in order not to “recreate the wheel.” For example, JFF-CINCY is implementing the established Fertility Buddy program used in Atlanta through the use of JFF’s meticulously developed Handbook and training of the Cincinnati Fertility Buddies veterans (i.e. those who have gone through infertility) by JFF’s licensed infertility therapist.

Similarly, for the grants, we will use JFF’s established metrics and systematic process by which applicants are chosen: (1) Screening application; (2) Financial qualification committee determination; (3) Medical advisory committee determination; (4) Board of Directors vote; and (5) Funding directly to the medical facility. In the immediate, a member from the Cincinnati community will serve on each of the Finance Committee (TBD), the Medical Advisory Committee, and the Board of Directors.

Our target population is any person experiencing medical infertility, and our aim is to help that person feel supported and less isolated throughout their infertility journey. In Atlanta, 90% of JFF-Atlanta’s constituency are women in their 20s – 40s. Within the Jewish community, our intention, as is the case in Atlanta, is to work with men and women across all religious streams, including those who are unaffiliated, interfaith, and LGBTQ.

For additional information, visit: www.jewishfertilityfoundation.org.