DC Health is committed to reducing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths in the District. 

Through partnerships and collaborations, DC residents can participate in the DC Safe Sleep Program (DC SSP) and receive safe sleep education and a portable crib for their infant to ensure infants are sleeping safely. Putting a baby to sleep face up, alone, and in a crib reduces the chance of death caused by unsafe sleep practices. 

The DC SSP Provides: 

• Safe Sleep Education for Program Partners, including Birthing Hospitals, Clinics, Family Strengthening Collaboratives, Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and Homeless Shelters 
• NOTE: Program Partners provide safe sleep education directly to the parents and/or caregiver population that they serve 
• Safe Sleep Education for Daycare Providers 
• Safety Approved Portable Cribs 
• Referrals to Community Programs and Services 

Requirements to Receive a Portable Crib: 

• Parents and/or caregivers must participate in a safe sleep education session with a DC SSP partner.   
• Parents and/or caregivers must be a District resident and their baby – or if multiples, then babies – must be under 1 years of age.  
• Parents will receive a portable crib after they complete a safe sleep education session with a DC SSP partner (only one per household per baby - unless multiple, then a crib is provided for each baby). 
• Portable cribs are NOT available for pick-up at DC Health offices.  

For additional information call the DC Health Help Me Grow line at 1(800) MOM-BABY or 1(800) 666-2229. 

More Resources:

"What Does A Safe Sleep Environment Look Like?":

• Safe_Sleep_Environ_DC_Health_ENGLISH.pdf 
• Safe_Sleep_Environ_DC_Health_SPANISH.pdf