SHAKEN BABY ALLIANCE

SBA has the goal of nationally ending Shaken Baby Syndrome, (SBS/AHT) defined by CDC as a “preventable and severe form of physical child abuse.” Our three programs alleviate suffering and cruelty to children by addressing the significant needs of those affected by child physical abuse and Abusive Head Trauma. During COVID, with child abuse and infant deaths rising, SBA assisted first responders and police, walking them through investigations. SBA answered calls and texts from parents on edge, showing them step by step how to cope with a crying baby.

SBA is the only agency that counteracts the rising acts of physical violence against children .Our programs alleviate suffering and cruelty to children by addressing the significant needs of those affected by child physical abuse and Abusive Head Trauma. Victim children and families have complex needs: not only support and resources, but also affirmation that they can save another innocent victim and family from this horrific nightmare and seek justice. We may meet a family when the abuse occurs, train the police responding to the call, and work with the lawyer to present the case.

Our three programs, Victim Family Services, Professional Support (Training and Case Consultation) for law enforcement, investigators, first responders and other child welfare professionals, and Prevention Education (SBS and SIDS risk reduction with high school students, childcare providers, and the community), blend those needs.
Our programs respond to these prevention and intervention points:

1. Crying is the #1 trigger for SBS/AHT followed by potty training, feeding issues, and interrupting adult caregiver activity. (AAP,2019;NCSBS,2019). (Prevention Education)
2. As SBS/AHT is an injury in the brain, it requires specialized forensic investigative training. There is no consistent funding for specialized training. (Professional Support)
3. Families impacted by child physical abuse need medical, emotional, physical, and often financial support. When a child is shaken, the most common perpetrator is the biological father followed by mom’s boyfriend. Mothers may be financially devastated by the spousal income loss. They miss work to care for their severely brain injured child, and the fluctuating needs of siblings. Care may be needed over a lifetime.(Victim Family Services)

Goals 2024 :
1. Support 250 victim family members and survivors.
2. Train 700 professionals virtually and/or in-person.
3. Educate 1100 students and 100 community members to cope with a crying baby.
4. Provide 25 case consultations

A. PROGRAMS
SBA programs address the significant need of those affected by child physical abuse and Abusive Head Trauma. Victim children and families have complex needs: not only support and resources, but also some affirmation that they can save another innocent victim and family from this horrific nightmare and seek justice. Our three programs, Victim Family Support, Professional Support (including Forensic Investigative Training and Case Consultation Services) and Prevention Education, blend those needs.

1. Victim Family Support (free of charge)
Goal: Provide a coordinated system of case management for victim families that is culturally relevant, linguistically accessible, trauma-informed, evidence-based, developmentally, and age/situation appropriate. We support families and survivors of SBS/AHT left behind and not served by others, including families with a child who died. We help with everything from financial and emotional support to navigating the education, health, and legal systems. We served 489 clients in 2021.

2. Professional Support:
Goal: To provide professionals with tools needed to effectively identify and prosecute abuse cases via:
a. Training: SBA provides a full range of forensic investigative training programs for professionals, including law enforcement, CPS, APS, first responders, medical and legal professionals, related to child physical abuse and abuse of other physically or cognitively vulnerable populations (e.g., elder abuse). We trained 374 professionals in 2021.
b. Case Consultation Services: SBA provides case consults in child physical abuse cases. We target law enforcement and police. Services include case analysis, technical support with crime scene investigation, interviews, timelines, visual aids, and expert witness recommendations. We consulted on 52 cases in 2021. 3. Prevention Education: (free of charge)
Goal: To reduce the incidence of SBS/AHT by equipping caregivers with the tools to deal with crying, the #1 trigger for SBS/AHT. We prevent child abuse by educating at risk populations and the community. We trained 1229 students in 2021.

B. COLLABORATION
1. SBA partnered in 2019 with One Safe Place to share office space, counselors, training, and connection to 42 other family violence agencies. Through active partnerships with CPS, APS, law enforcement, Cook’s CARE Team, CASA of Tarrant, Denton, and Dallas Counties, Justin’s Place, prosecutors, and agencies, we identify child abuse victims and families who need Victim Family Support services. SBA coordinates with multiple community agencies for needed victim and financial supports, training, and consults.
2. In 02.2021, SBA received a multiyear $299,000 grant from the Fort Worth Crime Prevention and Control District to reduce violent crime, specifically Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), by providing in high crime areas a.) SBA’s COPE education to equip parents with skills to cope with a crying baby, and b.) advanced child abuse forensic

In our 23-year existence, we have faced and overcome financial challenges. Sustainability has been examined in every budget line and is a high priority for SBA. Our robust plan addresses the pandemic losses without sacrificing mission. To diversify our revenues, we will amplify our staff, Board, and Advisory Board capacity to fundraise; build new foundation relationships; cultivate corporate sponsors and individual donor’s support; and continue our annual fundraising appeal process.

SBA sets program goals and timelines annually based on the prior year’s numbers. Each year since SBA’s 1998 incorporation, programs have met and exceeded service goals due to increased demand from victims and professionals. With COVID, a growing awareness of SBA through word of mouth, professional contacts, collaboration, and website traffic produced an overwhelming service demand. All services are assessed, assigned and/or referred out as appropriate.

1. SBA exceeded all 2022 program goals:
a. Provide support to a minimum of 200 victim family members: Outcome: 248 victim family members served.
b. Train 1300 professionals and 600 middle and high school students and 100 community members: Outcome: 1388 adults and 822 students trained. Of the 822 students in trained in COPE, (Crying, Overwhelmed, Pause, Exit):
1. 100% created a crying plan and signed a promise letter never to shake a baby.
2. Pretests scores averaged 56 of 100%, while post-test averaged 90%, indicating knowledge gained about SBS/AHT risk factors and crying resolution.
c. Provide a minimum of 50 case consultations: Outcome: 52 case consultations provided.

SBA saw a specific need, developed partnerships with stakeholders across the state and nation, and implemented a plan to address child physical abuse in the State of Texas and beyond. Over the past 24 years, SBA has supported families in need while developing into a nationally recognized forensic training and case consulting agency for professionals in the field of child physical abuse.

SBA saw a specific need, developed partnerships with stakeholders across the state and nation, and implemented a plan to address child physical abuse in the State of Texas and beyond. Over the past 24 years, SBA has supported families in need while developing into a nationally recognized forensic training and case consulting agency for professionals in the field of child physical abuse.
Listening to our constituents needs, focusing on mission-driven program needs, and using our position as the only agency dedicated solely to the prevention of physical violence against children has brought us unheralded new opportunities.
1. In 03.2023, SBA played a pivotal background role in the James Staley trial held in Fort Worth. Staley was convicted of capital murder of his two-year-old son, Wilder. SBA attended the trial daily. We provided the mother with Victim Support Services, prepped the prosecutor, and built a new doll for demonstrative evidence.
2. In Feb. 2021, SBA received a multiyear $299,000 grant from the Fort Worth Crime Prevention and Control District to reduce violent crime, specifically Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), by providing a.) SBA’s COPE education in high risk areas to equip parents with skills to cope with a crying baby, the #1 trigger of AHT, and b.) advanced child abuse forensic investigation training for law enforcement and other professionals to improve case outcomes. The grant funds SBA's Educator dedicated to teaching our COPE, our evidence-based, prevention education program to high-risk groups including students and the community. As statistics reflect an increase in child abuse in the Hispanic population, this group is a major program focus.
3. An unprecedented collaboration among the Senior Source Elder Financial Center, SBA, the Dallas Probate Courts, elder law attorneys and the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) produced the first “Crimes Against the Elderly and People with Disabilities” on 09.30 and 10.01.21 at DCAC. This was a natural progression for our forensic training since children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are all vulnerable victims. COVID enhanced that vulnerability. Our second conference was held 10.20 to 10.21.22 at DCAC.