Georgia Crib Match Program Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to be a public health agency to participate in the program?
No. There are several agencies that have participated or are currently participating in the crib match program (i.e. local health departments, local DFCS offices, faith-based organizations, domestic violence shelters, community-based organizations, etc.).

Does the agency have to be located in the metro Atlanta area to participate?
The restructured crib match program targets areas within Georgia with the highest rates of infant mortality including infant sleep-related death and infant sleep-related death risk factors. Those areas include the following counties:

Bibb 
Chatham
Chattahoocee
Clayton
Cobb
Douglas
Fulton
Houston
Jones
Lowndes
Muscogee
Richmond
Twiggs

My county is not participating or cannot participate in the Georgia Crib Match Program.  What are some other crib match programs for my agency or health department?
Agencies may want to consider partnering with other community or national groups, such as Cribs for Kids,  Agencies should also consider funding from other sources outside of their program budget. For example, agencies should investigate the possibility of legally and ethically requesting funding from community partners, leaders, advocacy groups, and others who have a vested interest in improving maternal and child health.

Where can I get more information regarding the Georgia Crib Match Program?
Contact the DPH SIDS/Injury Prevention Program at 404-657-6314 for more information.

What are the requirements for an agency to participate in the crib matching program?

1.      The agency MUST be located in one of the above counties

2.      The agency MUST complete and sign the Agency Application and MOU (located in the Crib Matching Program Packet), and submit information to the SIDS/Injury Prevention Coordinator.

3.      The agency MUST receive DPH infant safe sleep training prior to distributing cribs to the community. Please contact the SIDS/Injury Prevention Coordinator to schedule this training.

4.      The agency MUST provide crib match families with DPH provided infant sleep related death training from an agency staff member.

5.      The agency MUST purchase a minimum of 5 cribs (they can purchase more and it is recommended to purchase in increments of 5), and submit the proof of purchase to the SIDS/Injury Prevention Coordinator.

6.      The agency MUST ensure that all families receiving a crib complete the Parent Application and Questionnaire, and the agency completes the 2-4 week follow-up evaluation with the family. All information must be submitted to the SIDS/Injury Prevention Coordinator.

How much do the cribs cost for the agency?
If an agency chooses to use our vendor, Mercury Distributing, the cribs cost $72.40 per crib (includes cost of crib, S/H and freight charges). The agency can directly purchase from the vendor using the Crib Matching Product Order Form (which is including in the Crib Matching Program Packet).

An agency can also seek alternative means to purchase cribs. Only NEW cribs can be purchased when using other resources outside of the abovementioned vendor. Agencies can purchase cribs from Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Babies R Us, etc (either in store purchase or online). Proof of purchase MUST be submitted to the SIDS/Injury Prevention Coordinator so that the matched crib order can be placed and cribs shipped to the respective agency.

Can an agency get cribs for free from the state office if funding is an issue?
No. The state office does not provide free cribs to agencies. We provide the matched cribs for free once the agency provides the proof of purchase for cribs that they have bought. For every 5 cribs the agency purchases, DPH SIDS Injury Prevention Program will give the agency 3 cribs.

If funding is a concern, what can an agency do to obtain funding to participate in this program?
We have several agencies that have used funds from other sources outside of their program budget. For example, agencies can request funding from community partners, leaders, advocacy groups, and others who have a vested interest in improving the health of families in the maternal and child health population. Of course, we ask that all funding sources be legal and ethical to maintain the integrity of the program. Also, several agencies have partnered together to provide additional streams of funding for the Crib Matching Program in their respective communities.

My agency cannot afford to purchase cribs.  What are some other safe sleep options for community members?
You can suggest the following alternative infant safe sleep surface options to your clients and community members who cannot get a conventional crib:

1) washtub
2) sturdy laundry basket
3) sturdy cardboard box
4) furniture drawer

Directions for using an alternative infant sleep surface:
Alternative sleep surfaces should:
Be Clean – Use warm water and mild soap to clean the surface.  Other chemicals may irritate the baby’s skin or breathing.
Be Lightly Covered – Use a light blanket and wrap it around a piece of cardboard.  Tape or pin the blanket to the cardboard.  Place the tapped or pinned part of the cardboard down inside of the alternative sleep surface.  Place baby on top of the covered cardboard.
Only Contain the Baby – Baby should be placed in an infant “sleep sack”.  Cover blankets, other bedding and toys should NOT be in the alternative sleep surface.  

Is there a cost for the families to receive a crib?
No. The cribs are FREE to families who meet the qualifications.

Are families required to give Social Security numbers to receive a crib?
No.

What are the specific qualifications families must meet to receive a free crib?

1.      Family must not have a crib for their infant to sleep in or they have a crib that is unsafe for the infant to sleep. Families with multiple infants at high risk of infant bed-sharing are to be considered as well for this program.

2.      Infant must be newborn to 12 months old. Any infant over 12 months old is not eligible for the Crib Matching Program.

3.      If mother is still pregnant at time of receiving a crib, she must be 2 weeks until her delivery date to receive a crib.

4.      Infant must meet one or more of the following qualifications:

o    Medicaid recipient or eligible

o    Uninsured

o    Born premature (at 37 weeks or less)

o    Born at low birth weight (at 5.5 lbs or under)

Do the families have to return the crib after the infant has grown out of it?
No. The family can keep the crib.

How can I request infant safe sleep training for my agency or community? Is there a cost associated with the training?
Contact the SIDS/Injury Prevention Coordinator by phone at 404-657-6314 or by email at mdwilliams2@dhr.state.ga.us . The training is FREE.

Where can I get more information regarding the Safe to Sleep Campaign?
Go to http://www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/ for more information.

Can I purchase Safe to Sleep Campaign information for my agency to distribute to families in our community? What is the cost of the materials?
Yes. Any agency can submit an order for FREE safe sleep materials to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Please see the contact information below.

Copy of Order form for FREE SIDS materials:http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/upload/bts_order_form_2006.pdf

NICHD Contact Information to place orders:
Phone: 1-800-505-CRIB (2742)
TTY: 1-888-320-6942
Fax: (866) 760-5947
Mail: 31 Center Drive, Building 31, Room 2A32, Bethesda, MD 20892
E-mail: NICHDInformationResourceCenter@mail.nih.gov