In response to the mandated responsibilities for SIDS reporting and support the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) created the Sudden Infant Death Program. Through a competitive grant award, the Sudden Infant Death (SID) Network of Ohio was selected to act as the agent of ODH to assure parents are offered bereavement and supportive services and to monitor and assure that coroners and local health departments (LHDs) are compliant in responding to SIDS.

The SID Network of Ohio is designated by ODH as the initial intake agent for the State of Ohio. The network is to be notified of all sudden and unexpected infant deaths by the coroners at the time of death. The network identifies appropriate bereavement resources in the geographical locale of the family and sends a condolence letter and packet of grief-related materials to the families. The network then notifies the appropriate LHD so its staff may offer supportive services to the family as soon as possible.

The network acts quickly to assure sympathy and support are provided to grieving families as soon as possible regardless of the final diagnosis. It is hoped that LHDs will also act quickly in responding to immediate needs of families at the time of a sudden unexpected infant death.

By partnering with ODH, the SID Network of Ohio serves as the state’s expert consultant on SIDS, providing a liaison with national and local SIDS organizations; acting as a resource for current information on SIDS research and risk reduction; and distributing educational materials to health professionals and the public. The Network is also involved in helping communities develop sustainable and effective strategies to reduce the risk of SIDS.

SID Network of Ohio Mission Statement

The mission of the SID Network of Ohio is to work towards the reduction and eventual elimination of SIDS through a multidisciplinary approach of promoting infant health and wellness, community outreach, education, and medical research. In addition, the SID Network is dedicated to providing supportive services to those who have been affected by the loss of a child, age 2 and under, from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or Other Infant Death (OID).

Last Updated: 01/29/09