FCCS Caseworkers: Safe Places to Sleep Important at Every Age

Having a safe place to sleep is essential to a child’s health and ability to thrive. That’s why Franklin County Children Services is partnering with local businesses and non-profits to provide cribs, beds, baby clothes, and more to families who might need support.

FCCS Caseworker Sophia Billerman recalls working with one family whose two children were sleeping on a mattress on the floor. 

She recalls the family’s excitement when a new bed, box springs, and frame were provided. “The dad laughed and told me it took a couple of weeks for the kids to get used to sleeping on a bed because it was so high off of the floor.”

The Franklin County Children Services Board recently approved investing as much as $77,000 over the next year with local family-owned retailer Mack Mattress to provide cribs, mattresses, bed frames, bunk beds, and dressers to families who come into agency care.

A similar arrangement with partners at Furniture Bank of Central Ohio is also available to provide bedroom furniture to families. 

And to help parents of newborns, FCCS provides specially-designed onesies to partners like the Little Bottoms Free Store who helps families on Columbus’ west side. 

Caseworker Maranda Wagner recently equipped a single father with a “pack 'n play” - a portable playpen and sleeping area designed for babies and toddlers - for overnight visits with his one-year-old. 

Ms. Wagner knew this dad, who was in recovery from substance abuse, wanted his child to have a safe place to sleep. “He put his child’s safety and future above his drug addiction, and he was very grateful for our help.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year approximately 3,400 infants die from sudden unexpected infant death. Here is Franklin County, our partners at Columbus Public Health recorded 126 infant deaths in 2024.

“Most of the babies who died in Franklin County between 2017 and 2020 were found in an unsafe sleep environment,” said Sydni Robinson, infant safe sleep program manager at Columbus Public Health.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, having a crib or “pack ’n play” is essential for babies and toddlers. So is following the ABCs of safe sleep. 

An infant should sleep Alone, on their Backs, and in a Crib or bed designed for them with a firm mattress and fitted sheet.

Click Here to visit the FCCS website for more tips on Safe Sleep for infants.

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