Child Safety Center, Children's Nebraska Provide Train the Trainer Safe Sleep Education

Shannon Martinez, MEd, child safety educator for the Creighton Child Safety Center, and Lauren Maskin, MD, a pediatrician with Children’s Nebraska, recently provided “Train the Trainer” education on safe sleep to representatives from two community-based organizations serving refugee populations.

Six community health workers from African Immigrant Family Services and Refugee Women Rising received education and training in evidence-based safe sleep practices for infants and toddlers and how to teach this information to new parents.

Active discussion highlighted the need to meet the families where they are with culturally responsive education and practical solutions. Participants identified certain gaps in the community, including the need for access to safe sleep spaces for newborns, particularly bassinets and other equipment that supports room sharing in homes where space may be limited.

The participants also worked to translate the “ABCs of Safe Sleep” – “ABC” stands for “Alone, Back, Crib” – and accompanying messaging into language and phrasing that is likely to be understood, remembered and trusted within their communities. Languages include Arabic, French, Dari and Pashto.

The event was facilitated by Melanie Chapman, MPA, project coordinator for Community Health and Advocacy at Children’s Nebraska.

The Creighton Child Safety Center opened at 2112 N. 30th St., Suite 101, in Omaha in 2025 as an initiative of Creighton’s Institute for Population Health, in partnership with Children’s Nebraska. The center focuses on injury prevention and education for families with children ages birth through 18. Free and discounted safety items are available at the center Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit Creighton.edu/childsafety.