St. Charles grant for Shaken Baby Syndrome DVDs

St. Charles Health System is pleased to announce it has contributed $600 to Healthy Families of the High Desert to purchase educational DVDs aimed at preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Prior to being discharged from the Family Birthing Center, new parents will receive the DVD as part of an evidenced-based program known as The Period of Purple Crying.

Designed and approved by pediatricians, public health nurses, child development experts and parents, the program — based on more than 25 years of research — is geared at helping parents and caregivers better understand the frustrating features of crying in infants that can lead to shaking or abuse.

“This community-wide effort has the potential to educate and support up to 1,000 new parents a year, saving the lives of infant children,” said Kathy Thompson, program manager for Healthy Families of the High Desert.

A recent state report shows that children birth to age 2 who are not served by Healthy Families are twice as likely to be mistreated.

“Shaken Baby Syndrome can occur in any family,” said Alisha Fehrenbacher, director of community strategies.”Supporting Healthy Families and The Period of Purple Crying campaign is important for the health and safety of Central Oregon children.”

For more information about St. Charles Health System’s Community Benefit program and funding application processes, please contact Maggie O’Connor, community benefit specialist, at 541-706-5990.