ABOUT THE GLOBAL INFANT SAFE SLEEP CENTER
Every baby is a future worth protecting.
Advancing equity in infant survival through evidence, community wisdom, compassionate practice, and systems change.
We connect what science tells us about infant safety with what communities know about the realities families face.
Safer nights.
Brighter futures.
WHO WE ARE
Transforming Knowledge Into Meaningful Change
Our mission is to advance equity in infant survival by strengthening community-informed safe sleep practices, equipping professionals with practical tools, and supporting institutional and systems-level changes that make safer infant sleep possible for every family.
We believe infant safe sleep is more than a set of recommendations. It is a shared responsibility requiring trusted relationships, accessible resources, informed professionals, and systems that respond to families’ circumstances.
Safer sleep requires both sound guidance and the conditions to put it into practice.
OUR HISTORY
Rooted in Community. Evolving Through Innovation.
Founded in 2016 by Dr. Stacy D. Scott, GISS Center grew from decades of work in public health, infant mortality prevention, and community engagement.
We recognized that traditional education, while essential, is not sufficient on its own to address inequities in infant survival. Our work has evolved to connect scientific evidence, community experience, professional practice, and institutional accountability.
Today, we advance that mission through professional learning, publications, applied frameworks, and collaboration.
OUR APPROACH
Beyond Education. Toward Safer Sleep Conditions.
Evidence and compassion must work together. Families encounter different pressures, resources, and circumstances when following evidence-based safe sleep recommendations.
Our approach brings together scientific evidence, community wisdom, practical support, systems change, and accountability. Dreaming Safe Sleep Futures™ is our signature initiative for reimagining how we support families.
WHAT WE DO
Connecting Knowledge, Practice, and Possibility
Four ways GISS Center translates ideas into learning, practical tools, and collaborative action.
01 / LEARN
Professional Education & Learning
Workshops and practical learning for clinicians, public health teams, doulas, community health workers, and others.
02 / INNOVATE
Research & Applied Frameworks
Connecting research, the Afrofuturist SUID Equity Cycle, and community knowledge with institutional improvement.
03 / EQUIP
Books & Practice Resources
Publications and tools that support reflection, thoughtful conversations, and real-world application.
04 / CONNECT
Community & Institutional Collaboration
Partnerships with community organizations, healthcare institutions, universities, and public health agencies.
Leadership grounded
in experience.
FOUNDER PROFILE
OUR FOUNDER
Dr. Stacy D. Scott, Ph.D., MPA, CSJ
Founder · Author · Scholar-Practitioner · Maternal and Infant Health Strategist
Dr. Scott brings more than 30 years of leadership in maternal and infant health, infant safe sleep, community engagement, and public health systems improvement.
Through GISS Center, she advances a vision of infant survival grounded in shared responsibility, community leadership, and meaningful systems improvement.
OUR GUIDING VALUES
Five Values. One Shared Responsibility.
These values guide how we teach, listen, collaborate, and pursue change.
Truth
Honor evidence and lived realities.
Compassion
Lead with dignity and respect.
Support
Connect guidance with resources.
Fairness
Challenge inequities in systems.
Future
Protect every infant’s potential.
OUR GLOBAL VISION
Local Wisdom. Global Learning. Shared Possibility.
Families across the world navigate different histories, cultures, resources, and health systems. GISS Center seeks opportunities to exchange knowledge and develop culturally responsive approaches with partners committed to infant survival.
Our vision is an invitation to learn and collaborate.
Local wisdom.
Shared possibility.
BUILD SAFER FUTURES WITH US
Meaningful change begins with shared commitment.
Whether you are a healthcare professional, community leader, researcher, or institutional partner, there are meaningful ways to learn and work together.