THE STATE IS LAUNCHING THE ILLINOIS SAFE SLEEP SUPPORT PROGRAM TO HELP REDUCE INFANT DEATHS. 

SUDDEN UNEXPECTED INFANT DEATH IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF INFANT MORTALITY. WITH THAT IN MIND, THIS ONE-YEAR STATEWIDE PROGRAM AIMS TO BETTER EDUCATE PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS SAYS ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES EARLY CHILDHOOD DIRECTOR KIRSTIN CHERNAWSKY (chir-now-ski).

CHERNAWSKY SAYS THEY WILL ALSO WORK TO REACH MINORITY FAMILIES, WHICH SUFFER MORE SIDS DEATHS. THE SAFE SLEEP SUPPORT PROGRAM IS A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN 12 GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES.

THE PROGRAM WILL USE WRITTEN MATERIALS, TOOL KITS AND MORE TO TEACH THE BASICS OF SAFE SLEEPING.