Why This Matters

Sleep-related deaths are a leading cause of death for infants in Allegheny County. The purpose of the Safe Sleep Community Task Force is to engage and center affected communities in the convergence of existing evidence-based knowledge and community practice to address infant sleep practices and infant sleep-related death from a lens of cultural humility.

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The Task Force presents a unique opportunity to establish a safe space where affected community members and professionals, such as first responders, policymakers, and members of the medical and child protection communities, can learn together, collaborate, and develop and implement a community-driven action plan.

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Our Purpose

The Safe Sleep Community Task Force exists to:

• Center affected communities in the fight against infant sleep-related deaths.

• Bring together parents, caregivers, first responders, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders.

• Create a safe space where lived experience and professional expertise can meet, learn, and take action.

• Develop and implement a community-driven action plan to reduce preventable infant deaths.

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Who We’re Looking For

We’re building a broad coalition of voices. We welcome members from:

• Maternal and Child Health

• Pediatrics

• Public Health

• Social Work

• Community Outreach

• Policy and Advocacy

• Child Care

• Faith-Based Organizations

• Parents and caregivers most impacted

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What We’ll Do Together

• Share knowledge, stories, and best practices.

• Identify barriers and opportunities for safe sleep education.

• Launch a county-wide action plan informed by evidence and culture.

• Work toward our goal: reducing sleep-related infant deaths in Allegheny County by 25% by 2028