It's time to start planning for Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week 2009 (the third full week of April).

Three suggestions for things you can do:

- ask your federal, state and local representatives to adopt a resolution or proclamation recognizing SBS Awareness Week 2009, acknowledging the reason why we need awareness and prevention efforts, and thanking those hospitals, child care organizations, schools and other groups for their efforts to educate parents and caregivers about their opportunity to help protect children from injury.

As an example, South Carolina adopted this resolution

In 2008, Senator Chris Dodd and Congresswoman Nita Lowey sponsored SBS Awareness Week resolutions in the Senate and House.

- ask those representatives to visit a hospital, child care center or school to thank the educators

- write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper or email the editor of a blog or website that deals with parenting. Ask them to write a story, post a poll or tak other action to bring attention to SBS during SBS Week.

It works...