Introduction
SUID/SIDS programs should fulfill a number of public health functions. For the purposes of this manual, we have specifically adapted the Public MCH Program Functions Framework: Essential Public Health Services To Promote Maternal and Child Health in America to address sudden and unexplained infant death bereavement and risk reduction program services.3
Chapter 1: What is SIDS?
Chapter 2: Risk Reduction Education. Critical Program Function: To inform and educate the public and families about risk factors for SIDS and infant death in order to protect themselves and others.
Chapter 3: Bereavement Support Services. Critical Program Function: To link parents, families and caregivers to support services and ensure access to quality bereavement care.
Chapter 4: Training. Critical Program Function: To help ensure the capacity and competency of the personnel involved in SIDS risk reduction and bereavement services.
Chapter 5: Program Expansion. To inform and educate the public and families about risk factors for perinatal and child death in order to protect themselves and others and to link parents, families and caregivers to support services and ensure access to quality bereavement care.
Chapter 6: Research and Statistics. Critical Program Function: To provide State and local agencies with data on SIDS, sudden infant death and other conditions in order to investigate hazards, conduct needs assessments, determine risk factors and behaviors of parents, families and other caretakers and implement and monitor tracking systems for services and outcome indicators.
Chapter 7: Partnerships and Collaborations. Critical Program Function: To mobilize community partnerships between policy-makers, health care providers, families, the public and others to address SIDS, infant death and perinatal death and improve support to families experiencing such losses. Partnerships can address data collection, advocacy, linkage, provider education, standard setting, policy development or system enhancement.
Chapter 8: Public Relations and the Media. Critical Program Function: To disseminate qualitative public health information on risk reduction, new research initiatives and bereavement resources in a variety of media venues.
Chapter 9: Fundraising and Development. Critical Program Function: To identify alternative and additional resources to expand the capacity of the health and social services systems to improve bereavement support services and risk reduction efforts.
