Shaken Baby Syndrome
Prevention Campaign
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| The Central Massachusetts Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Campaign |
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In response to several recent shaken baby injuries and deaths in Massachusetts, the Commissioner of DSS, Harry Spence, has announced the Department’s commitment to assist in bringing SBS prevention efforts statewide during 2004. At a news conference in early December, Commissioner Spence said, “This is occurring with a frequency that is alarming.” He recognized the work of the Campaign and called for expanding the Campaign’s hospital program across the Commonwealth. The Campaign’s in-hospital program—currently implemented in Henry Heywood Hospital (Gardner, MA) and Harrington Memorial Hospital (Southbridge, MA)--teaches new parents and caregivers about the safe handling of infants and crying babies while they are still in the maternity wards. For more information about the Campaign's in-hospital program, CLICK HERE.  On October 6, 2004, the Campaign rolled out a new SBS prevention curriculum for 100 young parents at the Annual Teen Conference sponsored by the City of Springfield Department of Health and Human Services Maternal Child Health Commission and Mercy Medical Center. The curriculum, developed in Spring, 2004, by students at the Bridgewater State College School of Social Work, is highly interactive. It features the widely used video, "Portrait of a Promise" and involves student participation and feedback, including a "Babysitter and Parent SBS Prevention Agreement." The Conference, "Celebrating Families: Young Parents of the Future" featured workshops about Shaken Baby Syndrome, SIDS, and teen dating violence. On August 9, 2004, the Campaign paid a visit to the Opening Fair at the Massachusetts Teachers Association Annual Summer Conference. The MTA Conference was held at Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts. The Campaign distributed SBS prevention brochures, magnets, bookmarks and 2004 Poster Contest materials. Also, the Campaign provided information to educators interested in implementing the new Bridgewater State College School of Social Work SBS Prevention Curriculum in their classrooms. The Central Mass Shaken Baby Prevention Campaign teamed up with the Massachusetts Department of Social Services at informational tables at two events in June, 2004. On Saturday, June 26, 2004, the Campaign distributed brochures, magnets and bookmarks at The Big Dipper All You Can Eat Ice Cream Festival sponsored by Worcester Children's Friend. The event was held at Institute Park, Worcester. On the following day, June 27th, the Campaign distributed magnets, bookmarks and brochures at the Southeast Asian Festival sponsored by the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts. The event was held at the Mt. Carmel Church Hall in Worcester, MA.  Central Mass SBS Prevention Campaign Kicks Off 2004 Poster Contest at Father's Fest
The 2004 SBS Prevention Poster Contest is underway. The Campaign kicked off the poster contest on June 19, 2004 at the Worcester County Fathers Fest at Institute Park in Worcester. The Campaign distributed hundreds of poster materials, "Never Ever Shake a Baby" magnets and bookmarks, and prevention brochures at the event. The theme of this year's contest is "What You Can Do to Help a Crying Baby." Winning entries will be eligible for cash prizes. All ages are welcome to participate. Contest information is available on the Campaign website and will be distributed at public events and SBS training. Father's Fest is sponsored by the Worcester County Fathers and Family Network. On Monday, April 26, 2004, the Central Massachusetts Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Campaign was featured on Radio WCUW. The theme of the program was: How are children faring in the City of Worcester? Joanne Treistman, President of the Worcester Association for the Education of Young Children, and Julie Wiesnewski, Director of Worcester Healthy Start, discussed programs for and about children in the Greater Worcester area, including Infant Mortality Review and the Central Mass SBS Prevention Campaign.  Twenty-Five Attend Community Training Luncheon
Twenty-five community educators, leaders and child advocates attended the Campaign's First Annual Community Training Luncheon on April 15, 2004. The event was a sequel to last year's "Training of Trainers". Featured speakers were Jody Figuerido, Director of Training for the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services, Julie Wisniewski, Director of the Worcester Healthy Start Initiative, Joanne Treistman, President of the Worcester Association for the Education of Young Children, and Sarah Spurgeon, Project Director for Massachusetts Citizens for Children. Participants received SBS prevention materials and sample curricula. The SBS Training Kits were on display. During the past year, hundreds of young people, parents and caregivers throughout Central Massachusetts have been trained about SBS prevention as a result of this initiative.  Middle School SBS Curriculum on the Way
Social work interns at Bridgewater State College School of Social Work are partnering with Massachusetts Citizens for Children (MCC) to develop a Shaken Baby Syndrome curriculum and guide for use with middle school students. The project is moving forward under the direction of Gary Calhoun, Ph.D., LICSW, Professor of Social Work at the College. The Brockton Public Schools will pilot the new curriculum, according to Jetta Bernier, MCC Executive Director. Mary E. Calderone, of Haverill, MA is serving as a consultant on the project. Mary Calderone is the mother of Deena Calderone, an SBS survivor. For many years, Mrs. Calderone has taught classes in the public schools about the dangers of shaking. On February 15, 2004, the Collaborative was featured in the Sunday Worcester Telegram and Gazette in a commentary by Robert Z. Nemeth. The story, "Need United Effort Against Child Abuse", highlighted the work of the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, Inc. in supporting child abuse and neglect prevention efforts in Worcester County. The commentary featured statements by Janice B. Yost, President and CEO of the Health Foundation, Deborah Ekstrom, president and CEO of Community Healthlink, Don Melle, head of the Child Abuse Prevention and Protection Collaborative, Noreen Johnson, Vice President of The Health Foundation, and Martha Grace, Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Juvenile Court. The story details the need for child abuse and neglect prevention and describes how Health Foundation money will help the Collaborative expand the Family Outreach Network and the Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Campaign. To read the Telegram & Gazette article, CLICK HERE.  Nurses Attend SBS Prevention Breakfast
On February 13, 2004, the Campaign held a Nurses Breakfast for Central Massachusetts nurses, nurse managers and hospital social workers. The event was held at the Beechwoods Hotel at UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA. Representatives from each of the six birthing hospitals in Worcester County attended the event. The focus of the morning was the Central Massachusetts In-Hospital SBS Prevention Program, implemented at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, MA and at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge, MA. Between 80-85% of parents giving birth in these hospitals are participating in the training, which includes viewing a video, receiving printed information about SBS prevention and a conversation with a nurse or nurse educator about crying and SBS. To see the Nurses Breakfast Agenda, CLICK HERE. On Wednesday, January 14, 2004, the Massachusetts Department of Social Services held a reception at the DSS Worcester Area Office to extend thanks and appreciation to Christine E. Barron, MD, for her dedication to the children of Massachusetts. Dr. Barron will be leaving her post as Director of the Child Protection Program at UMass-Memorial Children’s Medical Center, Worcester, MA, to accept a position at Brown University and Hasbro Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Barron is Co-Chair of the Central Massachusetts Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Campaign and the founder of the Collaborative. "What's New?" for 2003 (Archives) | Return Home | About SBS | About the Campaign | What's New? | Great Links | |
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