Cribs for Kids

Safe sleep resources- the "Cribs for Kids" campaign donated 1,456 cribette playards and pack and play Cribs to needy families in allegheny county and surrounding counties in western Pennsylvania. 60 crib sheets as well as other infant safe sleep items were also donated. In conjunction with partners in 50 states, an additional 1,641 Cribs were donated to needy families along with additional safe sleep items and safe sleep education. The program supports the federal "back to sleep" campaign and pa act 73 of 2010 which mandates infant sleep education to mothers giving birth in Pennsylvania.

Safe sleep collaborations - we have collaborated with 18 police departments and 12 fire departments and ems agencies throughout the country to provide education and Cribs through our national public safety initiative. 19 agencies including 30 managed care organizations have joined in our efforts to reach out to their clients through our mco prenatal incentive program. There are 509 certified hospitals representing 46 states and canada, along with 4 military hospitals including one in isreal actively participating.

Education and public awareness- education topics are designed to reduce infant deaths and reduce the risks associated with sids and other preventable sleep-related infant deaths and promote safe sleep habits and infant health, safety and survival. Education is directed to: first responders, emt's, paramedics, firefighters, police, emergency room personnel, physicians, nursing schools, high school health classes, teen parents, hospital nurses, social workers, childcare providers, health occupations teachers, university students, department of human services supervisors and the general public including parents and grandparents. See schedule o for additional program accomplishments. Provided education to all nursing staff and social work staff in the newborn nursery, post partum and nicu nursery for all birthing hospitals in allegheny county, as well as for nurses and social workers at children's hospital of pittsburgh and statewide and national nursing conferences. In 2023 3,500 professionals and individuals in the general public were educated through formal presentations, health fairs and community events. The Cribs for Kids safe sleep education campaign continues at all 7 birthing hospitals in allegheny county. Hospitals provide safe sleep training to their healthcare team members who in turn model safe sleep care and provide safe sleep education to their parents and caregivers. If it is determined that the mother is in need of a safe sleeping environment for her infant she leaves the hospital with one of our portable Cribs, crib sheets and additional educational materials.

Safe sleep ambassador outreach program - this program formally educates participants including social workers, caseworkers, nurses, students and others from diverse backgrounds to take the infant safe sleep message to their friends, family and communities based on the premise "each one, teach one", and to teach at least three other persons about safe sleep. This program encourages participants to consider the infant safe sleep message as part of their personal as well as professional lives to share this life-saving information. In 2023 17,000 persons were trained as safe sleep ambassadors and received certificates and buttons to show their commitment to teach others.