10/08/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2026 11:12
Posted October 8, 2026
HILLSBORO, Ore- October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month, and the Washington County District Attorney's Office and the Washington County Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) are celebrating the five-year anniversary of a partnership with the national Cribs for Kids program. Since its inception in 2021, this program has helped provide free Cribette Kits and one-on-one education to more than 1,600 income-eligible families residing in Washington County.
Working in close partnership with the OHSU Doernbecher Injury Prevention Program, Washington County Maternal and Child Health, and other local hospitals, this program is designed to provide a free portable crib, infant sleep sack, and education for families in need. Public health or injury prevention professionals also provide safe sleep education in English or Spanish for eligible families.
The DA's Office pursued this partnership to help prevent infant deaths in our community. In Oregon, about 40 babies die in their sleep every year, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
"Keeping kids safe and supporting families with this critical resource is a priority," said Washington County DA Kevin Barton. "This program has saved lives and protected the most vulnerable members of our community."
"An unsafe sleep environment is the leading cause of preventable injury and death in children under the age of one. That's why we are so excited to partner with the Washington County District Attorney's Office to provide families with these lifesaving resources," said Adrienne Gallardo, Injury Prevention Program Manager at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital.
Hillsboro Medical Center & Doernbecher Injury Prevention Program also host monthly "Welcome Baby Safety Resource Showers" designed to educate families on infant safety and to distribute the Cribs for Kids safe sleep kits. This program is supported by grant funding provided by the Oregon Department of Justice's Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Intervention (CAMI) grant.
For more information on this program or to apply for a Cribette Kit, please visit our website.
For more information about the safety resources provided through the Braner Family Safety Resource Center at Hillsboro Medical Center, please visit this website.
| Name | Title | Phone | |
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Stephen Mayer
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Public Information Officer
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971-708-8219
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