The SUDC Foundation

Provide grants for and conduct research that will further our understanding of the cause(s) and ways to prevent SUDC.
Support 800 families in 17 countries, provide comprehensive care from a dedicated MSW and cultivates a community of support for bereaved families. Helps families navigate the difficult and often confusing investigation into their child's death by being a liaison between families and the medical examiner or coroner. It also assists families in accessing research and DNA banking services which could lead to answers on what may have happened to their child.
Resources to help medical examiners and coroners, pediatricians and other doctors care for and communicate with families experiencing the sudden, unexpected and unexplained loss of a child.
Supports policy to ensure comprehensive and standardized death investigations. Advocates for fair treatment of and appropriate medical care for families and thorough data collection to improve our understanding of SUDC.

In May 2017, the SUDC Foundation initiated a five-year strategic planning process. After months of stakeholder interviews and data analysis, the members of the Board of Directors and staff of the SUDC Foundation met in September 2017 to clarify the Foundation’s vision, mission and value proposition, develop the organization’s priority objectives over the next five years and develop a strategy to accomplish them. Representatives from Sterling Foundation Management, the Foundation’s strategic management partner, led the retreat. Below is an
overview of decisions made.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE ONE: Improve advocacy efforts
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE TWO: Increase SUDC research
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE THREE: Enhance family services
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE FOUR: Increase awareness initiatives
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE FIVE: Strengthen professional relationships
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE SIX: Diversify donor sources
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE SEVEN: Improve organizational development

The SUDC Foundation is the only organization worldwide whose purpose is to promote awareness, advocate for research and support those affected by SUDC, all services are provided at no cost to families. The Foundation accomplishes its strategic goals through the following capabilities: *bereavement support provided to 800 families through licensed clinical social workers. *SUDC Registry and Research Collaborative to assist families and the medicolegal death investigation community when these tragedies occur, the SUDCRRC is comprised of world renowned medical professionals, physicians, researchers and pathologists. *Directly support legislative policy to strengthen existing efforts to better understand SUDC, facilitate data collection and analysis to improve prevention efforts. *A strong development team with appropriate skill sets to successfully execute a comprehensive fundraising plan. A dedicated Board of Directors comprised of financial, medical and business professionals.

Supported Scarlett’s Sunshine Act (H.R. 6931/ S 3521) to strengthen existing efforts to better understand SUID and SUDC, facilitate data collection and analysis to improve prevention efforts, and support children and families.

Launched Ambassador formal volunteer program to empower SUDC families and other members of the SUDC community to promote awareness of SUDC and support the mission of the Foundation.

Extended SUDC’s reach and support to families through the 2018 Summer Podcast club​.

Participated in NAME 2018 exhibit, led 2 scientific presentations to raise awareness among medical examiners, coroners, death investigators, medical students, pediatricians and other related professionals​.

Implemented stakeholder survey to spearhead campaign to increase referral rates from medical death investigation professionals and pediatricians to the SUDC Foundation and the SUDCRRC.

Approved as new organization to receive employee contributions from the 2018 Combined Federal Campaign.