Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams proclaimed the month of May 2014 as “Safe Sleep Month”, just days ahead of Mother’s Day, at a press conference in the rotunda of Brooklyn Borough Hall, in order to alert new parents on the importance of proper care of their infants as well as tips to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In partnership with Delta Children, Borough President Adams announced that he is distributing 400 free cribs and play yards to families in need through local community boards, churches and non-profit organizations.
“We want to educate parents on simple items that can potentially harm their child, and that a safe clean crib leads to a safe household and a clean pathway to raising a healthy child,” said Borough President Adams. “We are the face of individuals in order to have a safe place to sleep, and one of our goals is to ensure that Brooklyn is a place that educates and empowers parents and families.”
During the press conference, Borough President Adams unveiled a new informational video on safe sleep tips, co-starring himself, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Assistant Commissioner Dr. Aletha Maybank and Joe Shamie, President of Delta Children. The video can be viewed online at http://youtu.be/r0d1O1z1Nuw, and plans are in place to make it available to local daycare centers, hospitals and other related institutions.
Recipients of the cribs and play yards include victims of domestic violence, homeless families, victims of fires, families of returning veterans who are in need, young single moms, including teenage moms, families with a child that has a disability, as well as low income families and unemployed/underemployed families. Local organizations that have assisted Borough President Adams in distribution to these families include the NYC Family Justice Center in Brooklyn of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, Brookdale Healthy Families Program, Catholic Charities, Center for Family Life, Fort Greene Snap, Lutheran Medical Center, Mixteca Organization and Serenity House Family Residence. Those looking for more information about submitting a request for a crib or play yard should call (718) 802-4042.
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