Infant Death Center of Wisconsin

The Infant Death Center of Wisconsin is a statewide program administered through Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. The center provides information, counseling and support groups for children, parents, grandparents and others affected by the sudden and unexpected death of an infant up to one year of age.

The IDCW strives to improve the health of infants and reduce infant deaths. The Center works together with other professionals in outreach, education and infant mortality review programs. In partnership with public health systems and national infant mortality programs, the IDCW maintains information that assists in the study and understanding of the causes of infant death. The information is used for statistical reporting.

Additionally, the center aims to increase awareness of sudden infant death syndrome and to educate professionals and the general population about SIDS, the process of grieving and current research efforts.

The IDCW was founded in 1980. It consists of a central office and three regional satellite offices. Such a structure allows the IDCW to meet the individual needs of families and communities throughout the State.

The IDCW is funded by Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and a MCH Title V Services Block Grant, through the Maternal Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

Informational literature on grief, professional consultation and case consultation is available for professionals regarding infant deaths. Presentations and discussions are provided about grief and mourning as well as the impact of a child's death on families and communities. In addition, the center offers assistance in locating additional resources in the community and collaborates with local public health departments to coordinate services for families in their community.

Wisconsin Perspectives now is available online.  

More Milwaukee infants are dying in bed
Unsafe sleeping environments are being blamed. The number of infants who died after being placed in an unsafe sleep environment has skyrocketed since December, Milwaukee health officials say. Read more at http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=627839.

Donate gently-used cribs
To find out where you can donate a gently-used crib and learn about safety guidelines for cribs, download the PDF.