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STEPS represents an initiative of the Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, made possible with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. 586 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 308 Toronto, Ontario M4P 1P2 Tel: (416) 488-3260 Toll-Free: 1-800-END-SIDS |
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get a free Virtual Walk!!
If you renew your membership online, or get your first one, you can walk across the country on CFSID's Virtual Walk for free! Have fun testing your knowledge of Canada while contributing to a very worthwhile cause!
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Public Service Announcements
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Welcome to the Special Teen Education Program CFSID/STEPS
This project responds to a unique target audience and at every step involves this target group, TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS. This project responds to an urgent need to educate young moms through a supportive, educational training programme that will in turn lower the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome for young parents.
STEPS provides risk reduction information for Teen Moms, Dads, expectant parents and all who may become parents in the future.
The Back to Sleep information will reduce the risk of SIDS, but it is not guaranteed to prevent SIDS altogether.
All About Us
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The Teen SIDS Risk Reduction Programme was established because the rate of SIDS deaths is higher in Teenage Mothers. The Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths will develop and implement a very comprehensive communications program reaching new and expectant teenage mothers. We believe one of the reasons teen mothers have a 5% higher rate of SIDS is Teen Mothers are not being informed about successful methods of risk reduction.
The Teen SIDS Risk Reduction Peer Educational Programme will train 20 Teens to act as facilitators in 100 communities in 10 catchment areas throughout Ontario. Over 2000 teens and teen mothers will be reached with Back to Sleep information. 50 new volunteers will work on SIDS Education. A video and brochure will be developed to promote this training. The main objective of this project will be to see a reduction in the rate of SIDS and Teen Mothers. The sponsor of the program is the Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Death. This project is financially supported by The Trillium Foundation.
Training shall be targeted through 10 catchment areas. The following are a list of these areas.
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1. Guelph/Waterloo
2. Thunder Bay 3. Grey/Bruce 4. Muskoka 5. Ottawa |
6. Toronto
7. Sudbury/ Timmins 8. Niagara 9. Durham 10. London/Windsor |
This project will allow us to:
- Address the needs for on going information on risk reduction of SIDS to teen mothers in Ontario
- Establish peer networks of teenage mothers
- Provide training and skill development that may help Teens in future employment
Facilitators
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This programme, at every step, involves teens and the development of this programme. CFSID will build a strong support network of teenage volunteers, by developing a buddy system and peer support system.
Led by a coordinator, the program will recruit volunteers across the province. These volunteers will receive training on the methods of risk reduction and presentation skills. Each volunteer will be certified as a SIDS Risk Reduction Facilitator. These facilitators will then be asked to share their knowledge with other teens in their own communities.The facilitator has a very important role in the development of this project. Each facilitator will guide their community in learning more about SIDS. The methods to reduce the risk of SIDS are simple, easy and free. By reaching out together, we can and will reduce the rate of SIDS in Ontario.
If you would like more information on becoming a teen facilitator, please complete this contact form.
About the STEPS Co-ordinator
Mary MacCormick is the Coordinator of this project. Mary has been a volunteer for CFSID and is the president of the Niagara Chapter for over twelve years. In 1990, her first grandson died of SIDS. Jesse was 2 days short of 4 months old, and his mother was seventeen at the time of his death. Mary brings a wealth of experience to the project and a genuine interest in Teen Moms and reducing the risk of SIDS.
To contact Mary, please email her at mmaccormick@sidscanada.org or complete this contact form.
School Projects
Throughout Ontario, parenting is taught at the High School Level. SIDS is briefly mentioned. Over the years, SIDS volunteers have made hundreds of presentations to students throughout Canada. Public education is an important part of the mandate of the SIDS Foundation.
To order brochures for your class presentation please contact info@sidscanada.org or complete this contact form.
If you would like a speaker to make a presentation at your school or agency, contact
mmaccormick@sidscanada.org or complete this contact form.
If you would like more information on becoming a volunteer for CFSID, please contact us at:
Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths
586 Eglinton Ave East, Suite 308
Toronto, ON
M4P 1P2
Tel: 1-800-END SIDS
Email: info@sidscanada.org or complete this contact form.
Community Service Hours
All students in Ontario require community service hours to graduate. Become a Facilitator, teach other teens how to reduce the risk of SIDS and earn community Service Hours.
Click here to make an online donation to CFSID