CLEVELAND -- A NewsChannel5 investigation reveals serious questions about how tax dollars meant to fund a vital program that protects moms and newborns are being spent.

Every penny that goes into the Moms First Program is important, because funding can potentially save lives.

Chrisha Thomas believes she has a healthy baby girl because of the program, which is funded by federal grants through the Cleveland Health Department.

Almost $3 million went to neighborhood centers this year to provide nutrition counseling, food and medical help to hundreds of young mothers.

Cleveland ranks among the highest in infant mortality, and 16 of every 1,000 newborns die before their first birthday.

That is why the Moms First program is so important.

"I'm trying not to cry. I say it's a blessing that she came into my life and the program is phenomenal," said Thomas.

The program has been successful, but a 5 On Your Side investigation uncovered health department e-mails and letters that raise serious questions about how some of that money has been accounted for.

"It is a review and the purpose is just to determine that the program is being operated appropriately, that the service are being provided to those in greatest need and that there are no issue in how expenditures are being done and how funds are being utilized," said Cleveland Health Commissioner Karen Butler.

The health department confirms it's reviewing how the Garden Valley neighborhood center spent $206,000 last year.

A health department letter to Garden Valley executive director Tinah Mischer questions the inability to meet payroll, the lack of mileage reimbursement, discontinued health insurance, despite receiving reimbursement from the city, and high staff turnover.

"We've had financial trouble for quite a while and we've asked for assistance," said Mischer.

The health department wrote to Mischer in May, expressing "concern about the ability of staff to fulfill contractual obligations and provide home visits."

Garden Valley is now undergoing a financial review by the city to see how money was spent.

There are no allegations of wrongdoing, but Garden Valley has been dropped as a provider.

Berea Children's Home and Family Services is now providing those services to mothers.