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The Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Chicago coordinates a community-based infant safe sleep education and distribution project on the South and West Sides of Chicago. This project utilizes a three-pronged approach which includes safe sleep education to new or expectant parents, crib and sleep safe product distribution and trained community champions.
Three-Pronged Approach The first component of the program is individualized education with new or expectant parents. This part of the program will take place in group or individual settings with new and expectant parents through Safe Sleep Showers, parent workshops or a visit from one of our partner home visiting programs. Parents will also receive a Safe Sleep Kit which includes a safe sleep board book, pacifier, sleep sack and information in English or Spanish. We have distributed more than 2,000 kits since 2020.
The second component of the program is the portable crib referral program. Since 2020, the program has provided more than 1,300 free cribs to new and expectant parents in Cook and Lake Counties.
The third component of the program are community champions. Safe Sleep Ambassadors are community residents who receive training in infant safe sleep. After receiving training, Ambassadors reach out to their network and spread the knowledge of safe sleep in a knowledgeable but informal way. They also distribute Safe Sleep Kits. Our Ambassador group includes grandparents, fathers, young mothers, etc. At the conclusion of their work with the program, ambassadors receive a gift card to compensate them for their work. To date, we have trained 65 Safe Sleep Ambassadors.