Front Porch Project®
Child Abuse Prevention Program
A new Bethlehem Health Bureau initiative in 2012 will address
the Bethlehem Community’s concern around child abuse.
Three free trainings will be offered in the Bethlehem, Easton
and Bangor areas. Funded by the Two Rivers Health and Wellness
Foundation in collaboration with the Bethlehem Partnership
for a Healthy Community the two day trainings teach community
members how and when to intervene in situations where children
are being mistreated or neglected. Interactive activities
help to make the trainings interesting and give residents
tools to help parents and stop child abuse in communities.
The FPP® is an initiative of the American Humane Society
and the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance. Contact the
Bethlehem Health Bureau for more information at 610-865-7087
or to register for the training.
An initiative to provide safe sleeping education for families
without proper infant sleeping options began in 2011 in Bethlehem.
Parents are eligible for a new Graco portable “Pack
N Play” safe sleeping surface for their newborn child
up to one year of age living in Bethlehem or surrounding Northampton
County. The initiative allowed the Bethlehem Health Bureau
to become a Chapter of the Pennsylvania Cribs for Kids®
Program, a project of the SIDS Foundation. Collaboratively
with the Bethlehem Partnership for a Healthy Community, the
Chapter was initially funded by a community grant from Two
Rivers Health and Wellness Foundation. Additional funding
was obtained from the PA Department of Health and private
donations to sustain the program through 2012. The Program
idea was developed when statistics from the Northampton County
Child Death Review Team noted an increase in unintentional
co-sleeping deaths of infants. If you are in need of a safe
sleeping surface, please call 610-865-7087 to see if you qualify.
You may also make a donation for the purchase of a new Pack
N Play to be given to a needy family in Northampton County.
Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Coalition
Established
in 2011 following the release of “The Surgeon General’s
Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding 2011” under
the lead of the Bethlehem Health Bureau, Maternal Child Health
Department. The Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Coalition’s
vision is to create a breastfeeding friendly culture and environment
among hospitals, businesses, and local leaders that will lead
to sustainable change in policies focused on promoting breastfeeding
support, education, and the absence of formula-based product
promotion.
The Coalition, comprised of local hospital and WIC staff,
health departments, community service agencies and individual
community members is open to individuals and agencies in the
Lehigh Valley who are interested in promoting breastfeeding
benefits and the vision of the Coalition.
Meetings are held monthly at the local hospitals. For more
information Contact: Sue Madeja, Nursing Director, 610-865-7087.
Bethlehem Health Bureau
10 East Church Street
Bethlehem PA 18018
610.865.7087
The Bethlehem Health Bureau has available
Limited English Proficiency services as well as language and
cultural specific services available in accordance with Title
VI requirements.
Established
in 2011 following the release of “The Surgeon General’s
Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding 2011” under
the lead of the Bethlehem Health Bureau, Maternal Child Health
Department. The Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Coalition’s
vision is to create a breastfeeding friendly culture and environment
among hospitals, businesses, and local leaders that will lead
to sustainable change in policies focused on promoting breastfeeding
support, education, and the absence of formula-based product
promotion.
