Delaware Public Health District Offers “Safe Place To Sleep” Program for Eligible ResidentsThe program’s partnership with Cribs for Kids and the Ohio Department of Health enables wider access to safe sleep resources.
DELAWARE, Ohio — The Delaware Public Health District has launched the “Safe Place To Sleep” program, aimed at providing safe sleeping environments for Delaware County residents who are income eligible for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and do not have a secure place for their babies to sleep. The initiative offers Pack ‘n Play cribs to eligible individuals, ensuring that every child has their own safe sleep place.
The program is open to a wide range of caregivers, including adoptive/foster parents, grandparents who babysit, and other family members who frequently care for the baby. Even if the mother has a crib, individuals who regularly look after the baby and lack a safe sleep environment are still eligible to receive a Pack ‘n Play crib.
To qualify for the program, expectant mothers must be at least 36 weeks pregnant or have a child under the age of one. In cases where twins or multiple children under the age of one are involved, the program allows for multiple cribs to ensure each child has their own safe sleep place. In addition to the crib, each kit includes a fitted sheet, a sleep sac, and a pacifier, all of which help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Partnering with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Bureau of Maternal, Child and Family Health, the Delaware Public Health District has enlisted the support of Cribs for Kids, a nationally recognized organization that provides safe sleep education and resources. The Pack ‘n Play cribs distributed through the program are certified to meet the safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They are part of a comprehensive safe sleep kit, which also includes a fitted sheet and educational materials on safe sleep practices.
To receive a kit, eligible families must participate in an education session provided by their local program. During this session, parents or caregivers receive crucial information on infant safe sleep practices and learn how to properly utilize the Cribette® for their baby. This educational component ensures that families have the necessary knowledge to create a safe sleeping environment for their infants. The “Safe Place To Sleep” program has been successfully operating for over 25 years, making a positive impact on the community.
Individuals interested in obtaining a Pack ‘n Play crib through the program can contact the Delaware Public Health District at 740-203-2035. Upon calling, public health nurses will ask a few questions to determine eligibility criteria, and in most cases, individuals can receive the crib on the same day.
Ensuring that every child has a safe place to sleep is a top priority for the Delaware Public Health District. By providing Pack ‘n Play cribs and essential safe sleep resources, the “Safe Place To Sleep” program aims to promote infant safety and reduce the risk of SIDS among Delaware County residents.