The program advocates for families in need and is a support when navigating through the process of a death investigation after the sudden death of a child.

The SUDC peer support program: Other SUDC families that have been trained to be a peer support for you are available through our Peer Support Volunteer Program. A Peer Support is a parent, grandparent (or other relative), childcare provider or foster parent who has experienced the death of a child due to SUDC. They are volunteers who give their time to contact grieving family members to offer support. A Peer Support Volunteer has: good listening skills, empathy and compassion, good coping skills and a non-judgmental attitude. The Peer Contact provides support through phone calls, written notes and e-mails. Peer Contact Volunteers receive training and support from the SUDC Program’s Outreach Services Coordinator. The purpose of the Peer Support program is to provide insight, hope, information and objectivity to grieving families thru someone who has had a similar loss.

The SUDC Online Community- The internet based community allows for open communication among our participating families. We have many groups inlcuding those for parents, grandparents, parents caring for a new baby after SUDC, adoptive parents, siblings and relatives who have had a child die from SUDC.

Families may participate in telephone conference calls with other SUDC families when calls are scheduled.

Siblings have the opportunity to participate in the pen pal program which allows them to communicate with another sibling who has experienced the death of a brother or sister.

The program also offers community education through SUDC literature, related conferences and community outreach. Families who are interested in raising the awareness of SUDC in their area are invited to do so and may contact the SUDC program for assistance.

The SUDC Program will add, expand and modify its services to meet the needs of its families. Families with ideas to improve our care are always welcome.