LOCAL ADVOCACY FOR A LIFE-SAVING MISSION: The Baby Safe Sleep Coalition, which combats the rise of infant mortality, is now under the leadership of Mt. Hope Family Center. (Getty Images photo)
The historic partnership and public health investment aim to reduce preventable infant deaths in Monroe County
In 2014, Monroe County reported a record low in infant deaths related to unsafe sleep environments, a success attributed to the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition. But since then, the data suggest an infant fatalities crisis has quietly re-emerged. Recent data analysis conducted by the University of Rochester’s Mt. Hope Family Center reveals that the proportion of fatalities occurring in unsafe sleep environments has crept up over the past decade to nearly double the 2016 proportion, from 18.8 percent to more than 40 percent in recent years (see data sheet).
To combat the rise of infant mortality, Mt. Hope Family Center has announced that it has officially assumed leadership of the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition, marking a new chapter in local advocacy. Longtime coalition member Anna Potter of the Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester says, “As the coalition transitions to Mt. Hope, I feel a strong sense of hope and excitement, knowing this next chapter will build on a solid foundation and expand the reach of this critical work for years to come.”
Jennie Noll, the executive director of the Mt. Hope Family Center, adds: “We have been serving the perinatal health of women and young families in the Greater Rochester community for more than 45 years. Absorbing the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition is a logical extension of this support, and it will allow us to funnel resources into extending the scope and impact of this program across all of our programs and training.”
Building on grassroots leadership
Established in 2011, the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition was founded in response to sobering data collected by the Monroe County Child Fatality Review Team, signaling a burgeoning crisis. The Coalition became known for innovative prevention strategies, including distributing pack-and-play portable playards through community partners, engaging faith and family-serving organizations, and integrating safe sleep guidance into birth certificate mailings. Under coalition founder Sue VanStrydonck’s leadership, Monroe County became the first county in New York State to have every birthing hospital certified as a Gold Safe Sleep Champion. “Where and how an infant sleeps can be a matter of life and death,” says VanStrydonck.
Highlighting the organization’s grassroots history, longtime member Jeannie Slaughter notes, “The Baby Safe Sleep Coalition started as a result of a few women who had a concern about the high incidence of unsafe sleep deaths in the Rochester area. Their concern ignited a movement that reached the medical profession and community organizations.”
“This has been, and remains, vital and consequential work because even one baby’s death is one too many.”
A renewed investment
Recognizing sobering infant mortality rates locally, the Monroe County Department of Public Health made a historic investment in maternal and infant health using American Rescue Plan Act funds, including a grant awarded to Mt. Hope Family Center. The funds enabled Mt. Hope to reinvigorate the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition while launching its broader prevention initiative, Building Healthy Communities. The initiative combines intensive, relationship-based family support with large-scale public awareness efforts. Leveraging resources from the University of Rochester, Mt. Hope Family Center is reinvigorating coalition efforts with a multimedia public awareness campaign across social media, radio, public transportation, digital advertising, and community partnerships.
Julie Nichols, coalition member and administrator at Monroe County Child and Family Services, looks forward to the transition. “The handoff of Baby Safe Sleep Coalition to Mt. Hope Family Center is the compelling next chapter in the story of compassionate, targeted, and responsive efforts to eliminate unsafe sleep deaths of babies in our community,” she says. “This has been, and remains, vital and consequential work because even one baby’s death is one too many.”
Government officials voice their support
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello:“For 15 years, the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition has been an invaluable partner in protecting the health and safety of Monroe County’s children. Monroe County was proud to invest American Rescue Plan funding in the Mt. Hope Family Center, which has a great track record of improving maternal and infant health outcomes in our community. We are confident that its leadership and collaboration will help us move closer to a future where no child dies from preventable causes.”
Monroe County Legislature President Yversha Román:“The rise in infant fatalities connected to unsafe sleep environments is alarming, and we must respond with urgency, coordination, and compassion. Monroe County’s ARPA investment in maternal and infant health, together with Mt. Hope Family Center’s leadership of the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition, will help ensure families have the education, resources, and support they need to create safer sleep environments. Every baby deserves a safe and healthy start. I am grateful to Mt. Hope Family Center for stepping up to carry this important initiative forward, as even one preventable loss is one too many.”
City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans:“The Mt. Hope Family Center is the ideal place for the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition to further its commitment to educating families and reducing infant mortality through safe sleep practices. This partnership strengthens our community’s commitment to protecting our youngest residents through collaboration, education, and evidence-based public health initiatives. Together, we can build on this important work to ensure that more babies celebrate their first birthdays and many more to come.”
NYS Assemblymember Demond Meeks, District 137:“Addressing the rise in infant fatalities demands strong, coordinated action across our local healthcare systems and community partners—especially as we work to eliminate persistent racial disparities in maternal and infant health. The Baby Safe Sleep Coalition has laid a powerful foundation, and bringing this work under the leadership of Mt. Hope Family Center marks a pivotal moment for the Greater Rochester area. Preventing infant loss requires more than awareness; it takes accessible, community-rooted resources, direct family support, and equity-driven public education. One loss is too many, and I am proud to support Mt. Hope’s expanded efforts as we give every family and child the safe start they deserve.”
NYS Senator Jeremy Cooney, District 56:“At a time when Monroe County is facing a devastating child fatality crisis, the University of Rochester’s Mt. Hope Family Center is stepping up. Through new leadership at the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition, its impact will extend far beyond the Greater Rochester community—raising awareness, protecting infants, and saving lives. I’m proud to support this initiative and help ensure every baby has a safe start.”
NYS Assemblymember Harry Bronson, District 138:“Ensuring we have proactive solutions and community-based resources to support families with learning and adopting best practices for infant sleep safety is vital to the overall health and wellness of our community. Preventing is the best medicine, and I’m glad to see the University of Rochester’s Mt. Hope Family Center launch a renewed advocacy campaign for the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition. With broader messaging and enhanced resources, they are providing tools that save lives.”
NYS Assemblymember Sarah Clark, District 136:“Every child deserves the safest possible start in life, and every family deserves access to the knowledge and support that can help make that happen. The rise in unsafe sleep-related infant deaths is a reminder that this work cannot stop, even after years of progress. I am grateful to Mt. Hope Family Center for stepping forward to lead the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition and build on the strong foundation laid by so many dedicated community partners. By bringing together healthcare providers, advocates, and families, we can strengthen prevention efforts and reach more parents with lifesaving education.”
NYS Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, District 135:“Our community is so fortunate that we have leaders like the Safe Sleep Coalition and Mt. Hope Family Center advocating for the prevention of infant mortality. Their new partnership is a wonderful step toward a future where parents are informed, empowered, and resourced to give their infants the best possible chance at life. I can’t wait to see what this collaboration holds for our communities and beyond!”
NYS Senator Samra Brouk, District 55:“Supporting mothers and infants in our district is one of my top priorities when I’m fighting for critical resources during the legislative session. We know that when we invest in preventative measures to address infant mortality, we uplift entire families in our communities. I applaud Mt. Hope Family Center for housing the Baby Safe Sleep Coalition to help prevent infant deaths in Monroe County by providing compassionate, evidence-based initiatives to keep babies safe and help families thrive.”
NYS Assemblymember Josh Jensen, District 134:“The work being done by Mt. Hope Family Center has made a lasting impact on families throughout our community. I am proud to celebrate Mt. Hope becoming the home of the Safe Sleep Coalition, an important step in expanding education, collaboration, and resources that help keep infants safe. Congratulations to everyone who made this achievement possible and thank you for your continued commitment to supporting children and families across our region.”
