About BSS
In 2008, a small group of professionals gathered together to discuss the disturbing trend of unsafe sleep fatalities in Monroe County, identified by the local Child Fatality Review Team. From that group, the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition was formed.
In January 2011, the Coalition, then a collaborative of 15 agencies, became a program of Jewish Family Service of Rochester, a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency. It began as an entirely volunteer effort whose funds were and continue to be 80% privately raised.
Our Mission
The Baby Safe Sleep Coalition is a diverse collaborative of professionals, organizations and concerned individuals who are committed to eliminating preventable infant fatalities caused by unsafe sleep practices in Monroe County. The Coalition works to advocate and educate; its goal is to improve knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about the risk of unsafe sleep environments and thus change social norms and parent and caretaker behavior. Our work is inspired by a passion to ensure that babies have the opportunity to thrive and become healthy adults.
Anthony L. Jordan Health Center
Healthy Baby Network/Healthy Start Rochester
Hillside Children’s Center/Family Resource Centers
Monroe County Child Protective Services
Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Rochester
Jewish Family Service of Rochester, Inc.
Monroe County Department of Public Health
Mt. Hope Family Center-UR Medical
NYS Office of Children and Family Services
Rochester Regional Health System – Rochester General Hospital & Unity Hospital
Safe Crib Project, Program of Baby Safe Sleep Coalition
Society for the Protection and Care of Children
UR Medicine – Baby Love Program
UR Medicine – Golisano Children’s Hospital/REACH, Highland Hospital & Strong Memorial Hospital
Donna Brower, Nurse
Caroline R. Dignan, M.D, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine/Director, Autopsy Service, University of Rochester Medical Center
Diane Larter, Greater Rochester Health Foundation
Sue VanStrydonck, Retired Public Child Welfare Administrator
And Many Community Supporters