Strange Bedfellows: A Non-Traditional Safe Sleep Program in Oregon

Kathleen McDonough, MPA

In Oregon, sleep-related deaths account for the highest percentage of infant deaths behind perinatal conditions and congenital malformations. To address this issue, a local county government agency traditionally not associated with public health has partnered with public health organizations and local hospitals to provide free safe sleep kits (portable crib and sheet, sleep sack, safe sleep book, pacifier and educational materials) along with in-person safe sleep education to income eligible families in either English or Spanish. The program’s objectives include a reduction in sleep related deaths for infants in the county through increased access to culturally appropriate in-person education and the distribution of free safe sleep kits to income eligible families. AAP approved bassinets are available for transient families or those whose living space won’t accommodate a full-sized portable crib to ensure the caregivers needs are appropriately met.

Public health nurses from the local county health department and injury prevention specialists from local hospitals meet with families individually to assess their needs around safe sleep. This 1:1 education is targeted to meet the family where they are and provide the resource in safe and familiar setting such as their home, local community baby shower, 1:1 appointment, or when inpatient at local hospital. Safe sleep education, including hands on portable crib set up, is provided to caregivers in either English or Spanish, however, every attempt is made to provide the safe sleep education and instruction in the caregiver’s native language. To be eligible, families must be a resident of the county and must qualify for public benefits or demonstrate a financial need. The program is managed by the county government agency, which has designated state funding available to support local child fatality prevention initiatives. Prior to program implementation, local public health agencies and hospitals struggled to find funding for safe sleep resources for families in need.

Since program inception in July 2021, more than 1300 safe sleep kits and 1:1 education has been provided for income eligible families in the county.

Fatalities related to an unsafe sleep environment are the number one cause of preventable death for infants in this Oregon county. Our non-traditional safe sleep program utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to better identify and reach more families in need of safe sleep resources and education.

1. The benefits of utilizing a multidisciplinary and non-traditional approach to address a public health issue.
2. How to leverage community partnerships to implement an upstream prevention program.
3. A different approach to reducing sleep related deaths for infants.