SIDS Center of New Jersey

The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Center of New Jersey (SCNJ) is a statewide program based at two sites: The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. Both sites abide by a three-pronged mission of bereavement support, public education, and participation in ongoing research efforts.

SCNJ was established through the efforts of Hackensack University Medical Center, the CJ Foundation for SIDS, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, The New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services, and the Paul McElgunn Memorial Golf Tournament. Funding is derived through public and private sources.

Services

The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Center of New Jersey (SCNJ)’s mission includes bereavement support, public education, and participation in ongoing research efforts. The SCNJ supports bereaved families during times of crisis, as well as performs free one-year case management follow-up with all referred families. The SCNJ offers:

• direct counseling via phone/letters to all families who have experienced the death of a child or toddler
• home visits by specially trained staff
• adult and sibling support groups
• statewide public health initiatives
• presentation of educational outreach programs and dissemination of materials for specific healthcare disciplines, child care providers, law enforcement and EMS personnel as well as the general public
• management of the statewide SIDS database
• research and training
• 24-hour hotline support
• clergy support
• referral to local mental health services as needed

SIDS Family Services is SCNJ’s parent-driven support division. The SFS Program Coordinator works with a family advisory board to offer a variety of family-focused programs:

Peer contact: Pairing a newly bereaved family with a family who has experienced the devastation of losing an infant or toddler to sudden and unexplained death more than a year ago.

Speakers’ bureau: Coordinating parent presenters for community education and awareness events to share their personal experience with SIDS/SUDC.

Annual state-wide memorial services:  We hold a memorial service in June in Newark and a memorial service in December in Piscataway.

Family-focused and fund raising events:  Events throughout the year give families the opportunities to get together in more informal ways. 

Staff

Harold Perl, M.D.
Co-Medical Director SIDS Center of New Jersey
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics (UMDNJ)

Alissa K. Sandler, MSW, LCSW
Section Chief SIDS Center of New Jersey
Clinical Social Work Supervisor 

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Thomas Hegyi, M.D.
Co-Medical Director SIDS Center of New Jersey
Program Director, Division of Neonatology
Professor and Vice-Chairman Department of Pediatrics

Barbara Ostfeld, Ph.D.
Program Director SIDS Center of New Jersey
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Section Chief, Comprehensive Outcomes Research
Program Director, High Risk Infant Follow-up Program

Linda Esposito, Ph.D., MPH, MSN, RN
Education, Research, Communications Coordinator 

Reducing the Risk:

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS (AAP) HAS EXPANDED THE INFANT SAFE SLEEP RECOMMENDATIONS!
THESE GUIDELINES BECAME EFFECTIVE ON OCTOBER 18, 2011.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/10/12/peds.2011-2284.full.pdf+html

First Thursday of the month: 7:00-8:30 P.M.
Pregnancy and Newborn Loss Support Group
Meditation Room, Ground Floor, JMS Children’s Hospital
Imus/WFAN Pediatric Center, 3^rd floor (follow signs)

Third Thursday of the Month
The SUDC Program's Monthly Support Group 
Held in North Jersey
For Information Call: 800-620-SUDC or go online at http://www.sudc.org/

Annual Programs:
Peer Contact Training: call (800) 704-7437 for more details
Annual Memorial Services: call (800) 704-7437 for more details
           December 4, 2011: Piscataway, NJ  (Sunday)
Family Gathering at Jenkinson’s Pavilion, Point Pleasant, NJ:  July (Monday) 

Helpful Links

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Center of NJ, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services or contact SCNJ@umdnj.edu

Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Program

CJ Foundation for SIDS

National Sudden and Unexplained Infant/Child Death and Pregnancy Loss Resource Center