Background Statement
Angel Eyes, formerly The Colorado SIDS Program, was incorporated in 1981 and represents a merger of the Colorado Chapter of the National SIDS Foundation, a parent organization formed in 1967, and the SIDS Information and Counseling Project, that was funded in 1976 through a federal grant. The Colorado SIDS Program was the first, and continues to be one of the few SIDS organizations to combine a parent and professional organization into one agency to provide a statewide approach to SIDS and SUID (Sudden Unexpted Infant Death) .
In 2008, the Program restructured as a direct result of the decline in SIDS deaths and entered a new chapter in its history. The name was changed to Angel Eyes to include families who had lost their infant to causes other than SIDS, excluding cases where criminal charges have been made. In 2013, the scope of Angel Eyes was expanded to include pregnancy loss and stillbirth.
Core Values
Counseling and Support: Compassionate and professional grief counseling and support services at no charge to families, caregivers and others that are impacted by pregnancy loss or the sudden, unexpected death of an infant or toddler. Individual counseling, group support, peer contact and volunteer opportunities are available.
Prevention and Awareness: Keep infants and families healthy through awareness and risk reduction measures throughout Colorado.
Research: Support efforts to reduce the incidence of infant deaths. Maintain statistical data that is available and of value to researchers.
Goals & Objectives
• Provide every Colorado family experiencing the sudden, unexpected death of an infant or toddler with a personal contact soon after we are notified of the death.
• Provide professional case management, information and support services in a culturally competent and linguistically appropriate manner to those affected by pregnancy loss or the sudden, unexpected death of an infant or toddler throughout the first years following the death and longer if needed.
• Provide accurate information and education to the Colorado community regarding pregnancy loss, SIDS and other sudden, unexpected infant deaths
• Provide accurate data regarding these deaths in Colorado; determine trends that might reflect areas of program or educational needs;
• Provide sufficient operating funds to support program operations through fundraising, grants, individual donations and corporate donations.