A program promoted by First Lady Linda Daugaard to help reduce infant mortality in South Dakota, is receiving financial assistance.

The South Dakota Medical Association Alliance is supporting Cribs for Kids with $16,000.

In a media release from the Governor's office, Mrs. Daugaard stated:

“In order to reduce  infant mortality, it is crucial to promote safe sleep practices. I am humbled that this much money was raised and that the fight  against infant mortality has become a statewide effort.”

The donation will purchase 200 safe sleep kits from Cribs for Kids.

Each kit includes a  crib, a sheet with a safe sleep message, a pacifier, a sleep sack and an  educational brochure on safe-sleep practices. The SDSMA Alliance is working with the state Department of Health to distribute the cribs to those living in the  alliance’s 12 districts.

After she became  aware of the high infant mortality rate in South Dakota, Mrs. Daugaard chaired  the Governor’s Task Force on Infant Mortality. The task force was established in  2011 and offered its recommendations to the Governor in 2012. Early this year  the task force reported significant improvements in areas such as prenatal care and safe sleep practices.

The statewide SDSMA  Alliance became involved with Cribs for Kids in November of 2012.  First Lady, Linda Daugaard spoke to the Sioux Falls chapter about infant mortality and measures  for prevention. Following the presentation, the alliance pledged to raise money for Cribs for Kids.

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