I just read a very disturbing article about Rep. Cynthia Davis and Sam Pratt's law. Someone please tell me this isn't really happening? How can this woman really be in public office? The things she said are absolutely cold and callous.
Please help me prove her wrong when she says, "There is nobody in St. Charles County who cares about this bill." She goes on to say, "This woman is not even the mother of the child," Davis said. "She is a law student. What is really going on is that she is mad at the judge and she is mad at the baby sitter.
They want a souvenir bill for the baby and they wanted it named after the baby. If we passed a knee-jerk bill for every sad story that happens, we would not have any liberties any more in Missouri."
You can read the entire, heart-wrenching article here:
http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/articles/2010/04/18/stcharles/news/0418stc-pokin0.txt
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Friday, October 9, 2009
October is SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
Contact: Lori Behrens
314-822-2323
lbehrens@sidsresources.org
For Immediate Release
October is SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
SIDS Resources, Inc. Works to Raise Awareness and to Help Save Infant Lives
St. Louis, MO, October 2009 Today, in communities across America, expectant moms will feel their baby’s first kick; parents will listen joyfully to their newborn’s first cry; and families will celebrate their healthy baby’s first birthday.
Also on this day, ten babies will lose their lives to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or other sudden, unexpected infant deaths.
October is SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, and SIDS Resources Inc. is dedicated to infant health and survival, as well as helping to increase awareness about these tragic causes of infant death.
October 15 has been designated “National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.” On this day, families across the nation will light candles to honor the lives that have been lost, and will continue to be lost, until we reach our goal of a future where all babies survive and thrive.
Some activities that SIDS Resources’ staff will participate in during the month of October include:
Oct. 3rd - Baby Health Fair; St. Clare Hospital in Fenton
Oct. 9th - Safe Cribs class; St. Luke Memorial Missionary Baptist Church
Oct. 13th – Safe Sleep for teen moms; Pattonville Parents as Teachers
Oct. 28th – Safe Crib Partner Training; North Central Community Health Center
Oct. 30th - Healthy America Summit at Florissant Valley Community College
“SIDS Resources strives to nurture grieving families, as well as help families with babies to stay healthy and safe,” says Lori Behrens, Executive Director. “Our goal is to provide compassionate support and to be accessible to bereaved parents, and to be THE resource for professionals, community members and new parents on proven and effective ways to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death.”
Some facts about SIDS:
• Each year in Missouri, approximately 100 babies succumb to sudden infant death.
• That number includes between 30 and 40 infants in the St. Louis area.
• The peak age for SIDS is between 2 and 4 months of age. It is the leading cause of death in babies from one month to one year of age.
• The risk of SIDS is two to three times greater in African American and Native American infants.
• Steps to reduce the risk of SIDS include the “ABC’s” of safe sleep for babies; babies sleep safest alone, on their backs, in their cribs. Also, creating a smoke-free zone around babies can help lower the risk.
Founded in 1974, SIDS Resources Inc. is the only Missouri nonprofit that provides emotional support for families who have lost babies to Sudden Infant Death, and also educates the community about safe sleep for babies and other risk reduction strategies. The organization has offices in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield, and serves communities throughout Missouri, plus surrounding counties in Kansas and Illinois. Each year, SIDS Resources provides bereavement support to more than 100 families. SIDS Resources is a proud member of the Greater St. Louis United Way. To learn more about SIDS bereavement support or to schedule an awareness or risk reduction presentation in your community, please call 314-822-2323 or 800-421-3511.
314-822-2323
lbehrens@sidsresources.org
For Immediate Release
October is SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
SIDS Resources, Inc. Works to Raise Awareness and to Help Save Infant Lives
St. Louis, MO, October 2009 Today, in communities across America, expectant moms will feel their baby’s first kick; parents will listen joyfully to their newborn’s first cry; and families will celebrate their healthy baby’s first birthday.
Also on this day, ten babies will lose their lives to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or other sudden, unexpected infant deaths.
October is SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, and SIDS Resources Inc. is dedicated to infant health and survival, as well as helping to increase awareness about these tragic causes of infant death.
October 15 has been designated “National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.” On this day, families across the nation will light candles to honor the lives that have been lost, and will continue to be lost, until we reach our goal of a future where all babies survive and thrive.
Some activities that SIDS Resources’ staff will participate in during the month of October include:
Oct. 3rd - Baby Health Fair; St. Clare Hospital in Fenton
Oct. 9th - Safe Cribs class; St. Luke Memorial Missionary Baptist Church
Oct. 13th – Safe Sleep for teen moms; Pattonville Parents as Teachers
Oct. 28th – Safe Crib Partner Training; North Central Community Health Center
Oct. 30th - Healthy America Summit at Florissant Valley Community College
“SIDS Resources strives to nurture grieving families, as well as help families with babies to stay healthy and safe,” says Lori Behrens, Executive Director. “Our goal is to provide compassionate support and to be accessible to bereaved parents, and to be THE resource for professionals, community members and new parents on proven and effective ways to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death.”
Some facts about SIDS:
• Each year in Missouri, approximately 100 babies succumb to sudden infant death.
• That number includes between 30 and 40 infants in the St. Louis area.
• The peak age for SIDS is between 2 and 4 months of age. It is the leading cause of death in babies from one month to one year of age.
• The risk of SIDS is two to three times greater in African American and Native American infants.
• Steps to reduce the risk of SIDS include the “ABC’s” of safe sleep for babies; babies sleep safest alone, on their backs, in their cribs. Also, creating a smoke-free zone around babies can help lower the risk.
Founded in 1974, SIDS Resources Inc. is the only Missouri nonprofit that provides emotional support for families who have lost babies to Sudden Infant Death, and also educates the community about safe sleep for babies and other risk reduction strategies. The organization has offices in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield, and serves communities throughout Missouri, plus surrounding counties in Kansas and Illinois. Each year, SIDS Resources provides bereavement support to more than 100 families. SIDS Resources is a proud member of the Greater St. Louis United Way. To learn more about SIDS bereavement support or to schedule an awareness or risk reduction presentation in your community, please call 314-822-2323 or 800-421-3511.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Strides for SIDS 2009
Help us reach our fundraising goal for the second annual Strides for SIDS event!
http://www.active.com/donate/TeamNathan2009
Click here to sign up for the event on June 6!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Back from the Nation's Capital!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Mom in spotlight, pushing 'Nathan's Law'
By Nancy Cambria
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/26/2009
JEFFERSON CITY — Shelley and Steve Blecha felt helpless last summer as state regulators and law enforcement could do little in the aftermath of the accidental death of their son Nathan at an unlicensed in-home day care in Jefferson County.
On Wednesday, their situation changed as Shelley Blecha sat front-and-center in a hearing room in the Capitol to testify on a bill to strengthen child care regulation, informally known as "Nathan's Law."
Blecha told members of the House Professional Registration and Licensing Committee that the owner of the day care where her son died wasn't fined, despite operating without a license and failing to follow basic safety standards that may have prevented her son's death.
See the entire article
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/26/2009
JEFFERSON CITY — Shelley and Steve Blecha felt helpless last summer as state regulators and law enforcement could do little in the aftermath of the accidental death of their son Nathan at an unlicensed in-home day care in Jefferson County.
On Wednesday, their situation changed as Shelley Blecha sat front-and-center in a hearing room in the Capitol to testify on a bill to strengthen child care regulation, informally known as "Nathan's Law."
Blecha told members of the House Professional Registration and Licensing Committee that the owner of the day care where her son died wasn't fined, despite operating without a license and failing to follow basic safety standards that may have prevented her son's death.
See the entire article
Monday, January 26, 2009
Charlie Brennan Show on Jan 26, 2009
Listen to the Charlie Brennan Show from January 26, 2009:
Mo. Rep.Rachel Storch/Steve and Shelley Blecha on Child Care
Mo. Rep.Rachel Storch/Steve and Shelley Blecha on Child Care
Friday, January 23, 2009
"Nathan's Law" Story in the St. Louis Post
Nathan's Law aims to strengthen child care safety
Eighteen months after an infant died at an unlicensed home day care in Jefferson County, Missouri legislators will consider strengthening safety standards and increasing fines for unsafe child-care facilities.
The proposed changes were immediately praised by early childhood advocates who say the state has too many gaps in its child-care rules.
"Missouri needs to catch up with the best thinking of other states," said Carol Scott, executive director of the Missouri Child Care Resource and Referral Network. Scott said, "even the best in the child-care business need to be fully and carefully regulated."
Read more...
Eighteen months after an infant died at an unlicensed home day care in Jefferson County, Missouri legislators will consider strengthening safety standards and increasing fines for unsafe child-care facilities.
The proposed changes were immediately praised by early childhood advocates who say the state has too many gaps in its child-care rules.
"Missouri needs to catch up with the best thinking of other states," said Carol Scott, executive director of the Missouri Child Care Resource and Referral Network. Scott said, "even the best in the child-care business need to be fully and carefully regulated."
Read more...
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