Cultural Competence Exchange Newsletter

November 1999

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce that the Georgetown University Child Development Center's National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC) will include a SIDS/ID component in their overall work program. Their focus will center around cultural competence issues and, correspondingly, how to reduce the large disparities in SIDS and other infant death that occur among certain identified racial and ethnic populations. Cultural competence is an important tool for our programs as they work to reach diverse populations and communities and to provide credible public health messages addressing SIDS and other infant death risk reduction efforts.

The NCCC will work collaboratively with two other national centers that support the MCHB SIDS/ID program. These are the National SIDS/ID Program Support Center (NSIDPSC) and the National SIDS Resource Center (NSIDRC). The former Center is responsible for implementing a comprehensive strategic work plan for SIDS/ID and the latter is responsible for producing and distributing professional information and education materials on the multiple aspects of SIDS/ID. By working collaboratively, we can improve the awareness and application of culturally competent principles and practices throughout the network of SIDS/ID State and local programs. I look forward to collaborating at all levels of government and also with the private and non-profit sectors to reach our stated goal of 100% access, 0 disparities.

Paul S. Rusinko
Director
SIDS/ID Program
Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Health Resources and Services Administration

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Page last modified December 1999