Safe Babies, Safe Kids Task Force
Safe Babies, Safe Kids (SBSK) is a Middlesex District Attorney’s Office-driven partnership that brings together the eight birthing hospitals in Middlesex County with other key stakeholders to develop effective measures to protect babies and young children. Task force members include representatives from healthcare, law enforcement, child welfare, and social services. SBSK works to develop cross-sector, multi-disciplinary strategies to keep children safe through education and prevention programs and systems change. Meetings occur quarterly at area hospitals and the District Attorney's Office and are led by District Attorney Ryan.
Safe Sleep
The Middlesex District Attorney's Office Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Campaign was created in partnership with Winchester Hospital, Greater Lowell Technical High School and the Middlesex Safe Babies, Safe Kids Task Force (SBSK).
The campaign included a series of events and activities that raised awareness with parents, grandparents, and caretakers about the risk factors for Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUIDs), the leading cause of death nationwide for children under the age of 12 months.
We recruited high school students from the visual design and web development programs at Greater Lowell Technical High School to create and produce educational materials depicting what safe sleep looks like: a Nursery Poster that juxtaposes safe and unsafe sleep environments; a Sibling Story Book for brothers and sisters available in English and Spanish (brother) ¦ Spanish (sister), which teaches toddlers how to be safe sleep “helpers”; and a Smartphone App, allowing parents and caretakers to gauge their knowledge about safe sleep through a ten question quiz, illustrated with graphics.
In partnership with MelroseWakefield Healthcare, we also launched an updated Infant Health and Safety Curriculum that educates new and expectant parents on safe sleep practices, safe bath time tips, and car seat safety.
Safety Resources for Children and Famillies
Safe Kids Worldwide offers a wealth of information for parents and caregivers on how to keep your child safe. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, preventable injuries are the #1 cause of death of kids in the United States. It stresses the importance of prevention and Why It Matters.
The Massachusetts chapter is located at Boston's Children's Hospital, BCH 3241, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston MA 02155 ¦
617-355-5400 ¦ injurypreventionprogram@childrens.harvard.edu
The Middlesex Children's Advocacy Center ("MCAC") is based upon the fundamental premise that children have the right to be safe and protected from harm. The MCAC is dedicated to minimizing secondary trauma to child victims by streamlining the handling of cases of child sexual abuse, serious child physical abuse, and child exploitation.
Driven by an evidence-based approach, the Children’s Trust develops and supports programs that help parents build and sustain healthy families in Massachusetts.