Blog, Press Releases

Grant will provide Safe Sleep Kits to families to help ensure safe sleeping space for infants

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 1, 2016) – UPS Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to Family & Children’s Place to help provide safe sleep kits to families lacking a safe sleep space for their infants and with limited means to provide them on their own.

Every five days, an infant in Kentucky dies from a sleep-related factor, and in 2013, 90.5 percent of unexpected infant deaths had at least one sleep-related factor documented. In Jefferson County, for every 1,000 babies born, seven will die from unsafe sleep practices – a completely preventable cause.

“Family & Children’s Place is in a unique position to help infants at high risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and other sleep-related risks for infants,” said agency President and CEO Pam Darnall. “Families we serve through our proven programs want to have happy, healthy babies, but their income too often prevents them from buying new and safe sleep spaces for their infants.

“This grant will give these families the peace of mind they deserve and need.”

The most common risk factor for SIDS is an unsafe sleep environment, including, bed sharing or co-sleeping, soft or loose bedding, soft objects (pillows or stuffed animals), using an adult bed, and placing infants on their bellies or sides.

Kits will be purchased through the Louisville Metro Health Department, which is partnering with the national non-profit “Cribs for Kids,” and the agency will identify participating families through the HANDS, Family Stabilization, Child and Family Services and Child Advocacy Center programs.

Caseworkers then will educate the families using the Safe Sleep Kits to reduce risk factors and minimize the risk for sudden infant death for any sleep-related issues.

#   #   #

Family & Children’s Place works to protect Kentuckiana children, families and communities from abuse, neglect and exploitation and, through research-based, trauma-informed services, help them heal. The organization has supported families for more than 127 years and today serves approximately 5,000 children and families annually. For more information about Family and Children’s Place, visit www.famchildplace.org or call 502-893-3900.