Child Health & Safety - DHS

Department of Homeless Services

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Meet the Commissioner

Child Health and Safety

Applicants and Clients with Disabilities

Contracts & Procurement

DHS FAQ

Office of Equity & Inclusion

Office of Equal Employment Opportunities

Donations

History

Language Law Access Plan

Legal Notices

Transgender, Non-binary, and Intersex Clients

Turning the Tide on Homelessness in NYC

Stats & Reports

Unsheltered Outreach

Working with Communities


Child Health and Safety

Caring for a young child can be hard at any time, and it can become even harder when experiencing homelessness. Besides constantly caring for your child, there is a lot of new information to learn. This page has useful information for parents on infant and child safety that you can use whether you are living in a temporary shelter or are in your own home.

Safe Sleep

All babies under 12 months old are at risk of sleep-related injury death, and babies between 1 and 4 months old are at the greatest risk. Sleep-related injury death is usually caused by a child sleeping somewhere unsafe, or with loose blankets or other items in their bed, and suffocating.

Follow the A-B-Cs of Safe Sleep for Infants:

Alone, with no toys or blankets

on their Back

in a Crib or pack n' play

Check out the resources below to learn more about safe sleep:

DHS Infant Health & Safety Advisory

Safe Sleep Frequently Asked Questions

Information on safe sleep practices from NYC DOHMH

Brochure on safe sleep from Administration for Children's Services (ACS) and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

Additional Resources for Families

Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant? Early and consistent prenatal care is essential for ensuring the health and well-being of you and your baby.
Learn what you can do to take care of yourself and your baby before they are born from the NYC Department of Health.

General information on infant safety
Includes important information about safe sleep, child-proofing your home, preventing exposure to lead, and more.

Bathtime Safety
How to keep your child safe during bathtime. Includes information about how often to bathe your baby and useful how-to's.

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)
How to prevent serious injury to your baby. Includes helpful information about what you can do to calm your baby when they won't be soothed and you're getting frustrated.

Resources for Shelter Providers

Find a primary care clinic near you, conveniently organized by NYC neighborhood

Help connect first-time moms-to-be, who are less than 28 weeks pregnant, with their own nurse who offers care and support through the NYC Nurse-Family Partnership Program and flyer.

Connect expecting moms to important prenatal care. Find an OBGYN or Nearby Health Clinic using two verified provider locators:

Health Care Services & Centers For Unhoused People | YourPeer

Homeless Healthcare Resources

Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Guide for Health Departments and Community Based Organizations. Learn about Shaken Baby Syndrome, common triggers, recognizing the signs, and how to prevent it.