Program Expansion

Risk Reduction Considerations for Infant/Child Deaths Occurring in Hospitals

Programs have many participation options in prenatal and preconception education including joining existing coalitions such as the Healthy Start programs, March of Dimes programs or Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.

Again, it is important to consider whether your staff will agree to distribute the coalition’s literature at activities, be trained as presenters, help sponsor a campaign or include information into existing SIDS presentations. Target audiences are likely to include all women of childbearing age, pregnant women, teenage parents, fathers, grandparents and underserved populations. Professional audiences may include health professionals, parent educators, life-skill teachers in schools, childbirth educators and paraprofessionals.

Necessary Resources

Your organization will need:

1. Staff and expertise to review materials already available. While some materials will cost money, a number of free materials are available. Healthy Start has developed a number of culturally-appropriate materials.
2. Local and State health departments are likely to have existing campaigns and materials.
3. Training for staff and volunteers responsible for conducting education.
4. Relevant information from focus groups or other research.

Developed by the Program Support Center at First Candle with collaborative assistance from the Sudden and Unexpected Infant/Child Death and Pregnancy Loss Centers.