Services offered to families

The following services are provided for families affected by the death of an infant:

Bereavement support: Grief counseling and support services are provided over the telephone by center staff. Families are referred to a local Public Health Nurse and offered home visits to provide additional support services. Public Health Nurses and center staff collaborate to ensure the best quality of care possible. In addition, information on services available locally can be provided.

Support groups: Support groups are offered regionally based on need. The support groups offer families time to share, listen and connect with others who may have had similar experiences. Times, frequency and locations vary by region.

Infant Death Center and South/Southeastern Region
If you are interested in a support group for families, call Vivian Jackson at (414) 266-2745 for more information.

Memorial programs: Memorial programs are held throughout the state. They vary based on need and interest. For more information, contact the office nearest you.

Family bereavement conferences: An annual family conference is held for parents across the state. The conference provides an opportunity for families to connect and network with other bereaved families. Conferences also include breakout sessions designed to assist families with grief and provide new information about sudden infant death syndrome, risk reduction and coping skills. Each conference also includes a memorial program. Family conferences are planned by a parent planning committee with varied topics provided by trained staff.

Peer parent support: The Peer Parents Program can match newly bereaved parents with volunteers who are trained in supporting them. The peers work in collaboration with the bereavement counselor in supporting families. Referral to this program is through the Infant Death Center staff.

Newsletters: Newsletters are published by the Infant Death Center three times a year. The newsletter provides recent research information on sudden infant deaths, personal perspectives and articles on grief and loss. Get the latest Wisconsin Perspectives newsletter.

Literature: The Bereavement Program provides information as needed to families on grief and loss, explaining death to children, and children and grief. We encourage you to explore this site and the links to other sites. If you need further information, please contact the Infant Death Center office in your area.

Research: The Infant Death Center and Children's Hospital have worked together with other programs and services to research and understand possible risk factors for SIDS and to fund research.

Education about SIDS, grief and loss issues: The Infant Death Center staff work together with public health agencies and community health agencies to provide up-to-date information on infant death.

Consultation with a pediatric pathologist: The Infant Death Center can connect families with a pathologist at Children's Hospital to assist with questions related to SIDS or other causes of death.

Outreach activities: Infant Death Center staff work to educate parents and professionals about reducing the risk of infant death. Outreach activities include communication of risk reduction information and working with other organizations to develop strategies.


Read about how children view death and some personal viewpoints about grief.