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Wayne County, Michigan Infant Mortality Prevention Program

Wayne County, Michigan Infant Mortality Prevention Program

Press Contact: 202/225-4071 (office)

Project Name:	Wayne County, Michigan Infant Mortality Prevention Program
Project Address:	415 Clifford Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Amount Requested:	$600,000
Federal Department or Agency:	Department of Health and Human Services
Individual or entity requesting this appropriation:	Wayne County
Value to Michigan’s 15th Congressional District and the American taxpayer:
Operation Safe Sleep (OSS) began as a pilot public health initiative in late 2007 to address the increasing number of infants dying in Wayne County due to unsafe sleep practices. Through the OSS program, any resident of Wayne County may call a dedicated hotline phone number and an OSS staff member assigns the caller to an available hour-long Operation Safe Sleep workshop. Participants in the workshop are given the cognitive tools to provide a safe sleep environment through a concise but meaningful educational workshop, which includes discussions, handouts, and the viewing of an instructional video. After attending the educational workshop, participants receive a Pack N Play portable crib at no cost, along with instructions for its use. WCDPH also plans to work closely with local hospitals, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to increase awareness of the dangers associated with adults and children sleeping in the same bed with infants or placing infants in other unsafe sleeping environments. Other activities that will continue include media and outreach campaigns, educational seminars, and increasing the number of OSS classes. OSS is the only known program in Southeastern Michigan that provides a hotline and offers Pack N Play portable cribs at no cost to County residents. It is estimated that 900 families will be served by OSS in FY2009

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