April 2007
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A step toward stopping child abuse
Public policy advocacy is a critical component of Children's Hospital Boston's commitment to improving the lives of children and families. Most recently, two Children's clinicians are leading the charge to initiate change in shaken baby syndrome (SBS) policies. Allison Scobie-Lloyd, LICSW, MBA, and Alice Newton, MD, from the Child Protection Program, each witnessed the damage caused by SBS—the number one non-accidental cause of death among children under the age of 2 in the United States—and were compelled to take action.
They believe the best way to reduce the number of children affected by SBS is to establish new educational programs for parents, caregivers and pediatricians, but know the power of advocating for change on the political stage.
Last fall, Scobie-Lloyd and Newton, in partnership with the Statewide SBS Prevention Advisory Committee, testified at a hearing held by the Committees on Public Health and Children and Families at the State House. They called for the establishment of legislation to introduce preventive systems to reduce the incidence of SBS. Scobie-Lloyd and Newton testified that educating parents about the grave dangers of shaking a baby would significantly reduce the number of cases. "A single program has the potential to save hundreds of lives," says Scobie-Lloyd.
The legislation for new SBS education was signed into law in December. The next steps are forming a state-wide committee to implement the educational initiatives and services outlined in the legislation, and advocating for funding in the state budget. Not slowing down, Scobie-Lloyd and Newton have been invited by Massachusetts legislators to testify on other child abuse issues.
Scobie-Lloyd and Newton typify the impact that hospital employees can make by advocating for children's health. As Newton says, "SBS is almost entirely preventable if the correct steps are put in place."
To learn more about the SBS legislation or Children's advocacy efforts, contact Lisa Mannix at ext. 5-1982 or visit capwiz.com/childadvocacy/mlm/signup/.
