Alabama Department of Public Health
- Project Title: Safe Sleep Programs
- Program Representatives Interviewed: April Montgomery, Former Director of State Perinatal Program; Katrina Cuffey, Infant Mortality Prevention Coordinator
- Location: Montgomery, Alabama
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Program Overview: The Alabama Department of Public Health operates safe sleep programs to promote healthy infant sleeping
habits through safe sleep environments and to prevent unintentional injuries among infants in rural Alabama.
The safe sleep programs offer several services that support safe sleep practices for infants. In partnership with the national Cribs for Kids program, the Alabama Department of Public Health provides free cribs to eligible community members so that infants have a safe space to sleep. Community members can be referred to the program by other agencies, such as Alabama Coordinated Health Networks (Medicaid). The Alabama Department of Public Health also directs individuals to the Alabama Department of Human Resources that distributes free Baby Boxes for temporary emergency use. Baby Boxes include information and resources that educate expecting parents on safe sleeping environments for their newborns.
In addition to providing resources, the Alabama Department of Public Health facilitates community outreach and education about safe sleep habits. In each region of the state, there is a Perinatal Regional Coordinator responsible for safe sleep educational activities, such as interactive demonstrations at health fairs or other community events. The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Department of Human Resources also run media campaigns across the state, which includes billboards in rural areas.