Fulton's Parents As Teachers program has a new service to offer its patrons thanks to cooperation with First Chance for Children, a nonprofit organization based out of Columbia.
Parents as Teachers is now coordinating implementation of First Chance for Children's Baby Bags and Safe Crib programs in Fulton.
According to the First Chance For Children website, Baby Bag provides basic safety materials for parents of infants, as well as books, a sleeper and notebook with information on local resources for new parents. The organization's Safe Cribs program provides a safe crib for families that need one, information on how to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and basic instruction in child abuse and neglect prevention training.
"Their purpose is to ensure crib safety as well as educate parents," said Tressa Duncan, Fulton's Early Childhood Coordinator, noting PAT staff have been trained on how to safely assemble the cribs provided through the program. "There's a lot of misconceptions about co-sleeping and about things that go in cribs like bumpers, blankets and stuffed animals that can pose a hazard to the child."