Rockledge, FL – January 5, 2016 – Brevard C.A.R.E.S. which provides child abuse prevention and family preservation services to at-risk families in Brevard County, FL has been awarded a grant from Jess Parrish Medical Foundation. The grant will support the ‘Cribs for Kids’ program, helping to provide Graco Pack ‘n Play packages to families in North Brevard.
Children in unsafe sleep environments, including adult beds, are at 40 time’s greater risk of dying. In the U.S., Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death for infants one month to one year of age. Brevard C.A.R.E.S. provides sleep training through the ‘Cribs for Kids’ program at no cost, which includes access to materials for expectant and new parents who cannot afford cribs for their babies. Last year, C.A.R.E.S. provided 308 families in Brevard with training on sleep safety, risk assessments, and referrals. Upon completion of the training, each family receives a Graco Pack ‘n Play package which includes a safe crib and accessories.
The Graco Cribs for Kids Foundation requires a 50% match from local funding. The support from the Jess Parrish Medical Foundation grant will support safe sleep education trainings and Pack ‘n Play cribs to a projected 74 families in North Brevard.