Priority Area: Infant & Child Health and Safety

Safe Sleep Campaign

Approximately 3,500 infants die each year in the United States from sleep related infant deaths. Providing education and creating safe sleep environments for infants is an important issue for Valley Children’s Healthcare and the Guilds Center for Community Health. We recognize that education can have a profound impact on infant mortality and we are committed to identifying solutions that will reduce preventable deaths. In 2020, the Guilds Center for Community Health launched a Safe Sleep Workgroup to coordinate the organization’s efforts around safe sleep.
 

Our Commitment to Safer Sleep

The work of Valley Children’s Guilds Center for Community Health to reduce sudden infant deaths has begun with safe sleep education, tools and resources which can be lifesaving. Click here for more information, videos and downloadable content ready for sharing.

Injury Prevention

Injury is the leading cause of death for children in the United States. As a leader in providing specialized pediatric healthcare, Valley Children’s recognizes the importance of injury prevention and works collaboratively with community agencies to prevent those tragedies. Each year, Valley Children’s Injury Prevention Program provides prevention education and outreach to children and families through a variety of forums in Central California. The program is designed to help keep our kids safe.

As the lead agency for Safe Kids Central California, Valley Children's Healthcare is proud to be a leader in supporting pediatric injury prevention efforts throughout Central California and is committed to providing resources towards these efforts. Safe Kids Central California is a coalition of 30 agencies made up of healthcare, law enforcement, social services, education, media and more who are dedicated to preventing unintentional injury in children.

Take a look at our safety videos:

Learn more about our Injury Prevention Program.
 

George’s Jammies

The “George’s Jammies” program was launched to provide patients with new and clean pajamas. Each day, 45-70 patients undergo surgery at Valley Children’s Hospital. Before a child is brought to the hospital, families are asked to bring their child in clean pajamas to help reduce the risk of surgical site infections (SSI). Recognizing that families don’t always have the means to purchase new pajamas, or even the ability to provide clean ones, this project provides an opportunity to address health disparities and patient safety and ensures that all children have the same opportunity to improve their health and well-being.
 

Child Abuse Prevention

The Guilds Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Center is dedicated to providing both physical and emotional services for children suspected of being abused or neglected.

Through a multidisciplinary, child-friendly program, the Guilds Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Center ensures every child receives a comprehensive, head-to-toe medical evaluation to assess potential injuries related to abuse and the child’s overall health. The Center includes the Child Advocacy Clinic, which operates five days a week and sees more than 1,000 children each year. The team is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day for emergency coverage.

Learn more about our Guilds Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Center.