Organization: Baby 1st Network
Mission: Baby 1st Network provides eduational material and support for all who work to reduce Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID).We provide the tools necessary to empower and engage communites to keep their infants safe.We provide support services to families who have experienced SUID.
Activities: Education FY 2020: Baby 1st Network (BFN) focuses on community outreach and education, promoting infant health and wellness and support state-wide efforts to reduce the rate of sleep-related infant death. Infant Safe Sleep Mini-Grant Programs were developed to increase educational initiatives in communities where the disparities in sleep related infant deaths, but were paused in 2020 due to COVID 19. Virtual trainings were conducted throughout the year. Administrative support to the Ohio Collaborative to Prevent Infant Mortality was provided which promoted authentic Community engagement to support those at most risk to experience the direct consequences of infant death and suboptimal birth outcomes; exchange of novel interventions and practices designed to improve birth outcomes in Ohio; and optimization of relevant data collection, analysis, and dissemination among stakeholder organizations. Also, In fiscal year 2020, Baby 1st Network (BFN) managed all aspects of planning and convening statewide quarterly meeting(s) for the Ohio Collaborative to Prevent Infant Mortality OCPIM. These activities included, when applicable, securing virtual meeting platform and/or in-person venues; managing calendar; maintaining membership data base; developing agendas; confirming presenters; overseeing registration; post meeting follow-up, which includes updating OCPIMs webpage and producing the quarterly newsletter. BFN provided virtual training on safe sleep practices in addition to providing training webinars for medical examiners, coroners and public health nurses.
4. Family Bereavement Support FY 2020: This fiscal year we sent out over 300 bereavement packets and other specialized grief materials from our free library to families and caregivers. In addition, parents are offered free grief support services through our toll-free number and regional volunteer SIDS/SUID parent contacts. These volunteers responded to grieving families and provide support, encouragement and hope. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram accounts and website are updated continually and are sources for bereavement support for those who have suffered an infant death.
NTEE category: Health Care
Secondary category: Mental Health & Crisis Intervention