Resources on Shaken Baby Prevention and SIDS Safe to Sleep P.O. Box 3006 Rockville, MD 20847 Website: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/sts/Pages/default.aspx Phone: 1‐800‐370‐2943 Fax: 1‐866‐760‐5947 Email: [email protected] The Safe to Sleep campaign focuses on actions that parents can take to help their baby sleep safely as well as reduce the child’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The website offers information on SIDS and how it can be prevented. They also highlight on techniques that can be used to encourage infants to lie on their backs as they sleep. Safe to Sleep sponsors many outreach activities that help raise awareness of SIDS and how it can be prevented. They have also compiled research on the syndrome and allow users to learn about the science behind SIDS and safe infant sleep. Shaken Baby Syndrome of Virginia, Inc., 305 Manteo Avenue Hampton, VA 23661 Website: http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cps/shaken_baby.cgi Phone: (757) 722‐6011 Fax: (757) 722‐4294 E‐mail: [email protected] Co‐founders Steve Stowe and his wife Kathy created this organization to offer the community education and resources about Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). They were inspired by their personal experiences caring for their grandson Jared who was a victim of SBS. Jared suffered severe brain damage on November 20, 2006 at six weeks of age. His father was charged and convicted of child abuse. Jared died on December 11, 2009. He was just three years old. Kathy and Steve Stowe lovingly cared for Jared during his brief life. He required round‐the‐clock attention for a trachea tube and a feeding tube. Their love for Jared and Jared’s resilience is inspiring. The organization offers trainers who conduct seminars of all sizes. Their website offers many resources for both parents and for professionals. Copyright Virginia Child Protection Newsletter Vol. 98 The Period of PURPLE Crying Program 1433 North 107 5 West, Suite 110 Farmingtone, Utah 84025 Website: http://www.purplecrying.info/ Phone: (801) 447‐9360 Fax: (801) 447‐9364 The Period of PURPLE Crying was developed by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) as an evidence‐based prevention program. The purpose is to educate parents about what is normal crying for infants as well as the dangers of shaking an infant. Their resources include an 11‐page booklet and a 10‐minute DVD for parents of infants. The resources help parents learn about crying characteristics and how to avoid shaking and abuse. National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome 1433 North 1075 West ‐ Suite 110 Farmington, UT 84025 Website: www.dontshake.org Phone: (801) 447‐9360 Fax: (801) 227‐9364 Email: [email protected] The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome works to educate and train parents and professionals as well as conduct research about how to prevent the shaking and abuse of infants. Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the leading cause of death in abusive head trauma cases and this organization works to make parents aware of the problem and offer them ways to decrease the likelihood of it occurring. The NCSBS focuses their efforts in two areas: professional training for those who work with shaken baby syndrome cases and prevention education for parents and those who work to prevent child abuse. Copyright Virginia Child Protection Newsletter Vol. 98 The Shaken Baby Alliance 8551 Boat Club Road, Suite 117 Fort Worth, Texas 76179 Website: http://shakenbaby.com/Default.aspx Phone: (817) 882‐8686 Fax: (817) 882‐8687 Email: [email protected] The Shaken Baby Alliance was founded in 1998 by three mothers whose children were victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Kim Kang, Melonie (Smith) Caster, and Bonnie Armstrong joined together to create a program that could meet the needs of families and professionals involved in child abuse cases. Rather than focus on the negative aspects of what happened to their children, the founders focused on the positive outcomes that could be obtained through their experience. They did this by providing education about Shaken Baby Syndrome so that other parents wouldn’t fall victim as they did. The alliance recognizes this syndrome as a devastating form of child abuse and seeks to aid families and professionals in the effort to provide information about it. They offer programs and techniques that can help caregivers practice safe baby handling as well as tips on how to enlighten others about the syndrome. Children’s Safety Network Education Development Center, Inc. 43 Foundry Avenue Waltham, MA 02453‐8313 Website: http://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/ Phone: (617) 618‐2918 Email: [email protected] The Children's Safety Network (CSN) is a national resource center for the prevention of childhood injuries and violence. The network offers expertise on a wide range of injury topics, ranging from State and Territorial Maternal and Child Health (MCH) to Injury and Violence Prevention (IVP) programs. CSN works with state, territorial, and community child violence preventive programs to create an environment where children are safe and healthy. They infuse knowledge, expertise, and leadership with state programs to minimize child abuse. They also provide technical assistance on injury prevention planning and programs that analyze and interpret child injury data. CSN’s main goal is to build partnerships among local, state, and national organizations that help protect children. Copyright Virginia Child Protection Newsletter Vol. 98 Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Guide for Health Departments and Community‐Based Organizations, by the Centers for Disease Control, 27 pages. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333 Website: http://www.cdc.gov/ Phone: (800‐232‐4636) Email at: http://www.cdc.gov/cdc‐info/requestform.html This resource is a guide that health departments and other health‐related organizations can use to gain knowledge and information on shaken baby syndrome. The guide offers facts on the syndrome, such as the consequences, the signs, and ways to focus on prevention. The resource also has built a framework for prevention that draws information from existing prevention programs. It then touches on the effect that media can have on spreading knowledge about shaken baby syndrome. Finally, the resource discusses other organizations and their roles as well as potential partners. Never Shake Your Baby (Brochure) Virginia Department of Social Services Website: dss.virginia.gov This brochure titled Never Shake Your Baby, produced by the Virginia Department of Social Services, gives information and research and practical prevention suggestions. The resource lists what can happen to a shaken baby, such as: cessation of breathing and heartbeat; extreme irritability; seizures; limp arms and legs; decreased level of consciousness. The brochure also provides tips on how to soothe crying infants, such as: checking if they are hungry; walking the baby; or even to step away from the child and take a moment to breath. This brochure can be found in many child abuse and neglect offices and prevention programs. It also provides contact information for shaken baby prevention programs that help parents understand the syndrome and how to avoid it. Information on obtaining the brochure can also be found on the website listed above. Copyright Virginia Child Protection Newsletter Vol. 98