2025 Family Support Symposium Program is Finalized

The 2025 Virtual Family Support Symposium program is as follows (all times listed are Mountain Time Zone):

9:00AM - 9:15AM : Opening Remarks
Danielle Vázquez, Executive Director : National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome

9:15AM - 10:00AM : Rebuilding Trust
Emily Bodily, Mother of Elijah, Shaken and Killed at 16 Months of Age

10:00AM - 11:00AM : Types of Grief and If Hope Can Be Found
Claire and Chris Sandys, Hosts of The Silent Why Podcast

11:00AM - 11:45AM : Secondary Trauma Victims Support
Marisa McPeck-Stringham, LCSW, Clinical Therapist

11:45AM - 12:30PM : Lunch

12:30PM - 1:00PM : The Matty Eappen Foundation Resources

1:00PM - 2:00PM : IEP and Navigating the School System
Zoubida Pasha, Parent Advocate: Family Resource Center on Disabilities

2:00PM - 2:50PM : NCSBS Resources for Families of Victims of SBS/AHT
Rachel Golightly, Information and Research Specialist: National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome

2:50PM - 3:00PM : Closing Remarks
Danielle Vázquez, Executive Director : National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome

Current State-Specific Legislation

The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome is now hosting a section on our website that lists the current laws in every state of the United States of America related to Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma (SBS/AHT). Laws include any SBS/AHT education required to be given to families of new babies, SBS/AHT education required of childcare providers, SBS/AHT education required to be taught in schools, etc.

Click this button to find the current legislation related to SBS/AHT in your state.  Find SBS/AHT Legislation in Your State

The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) celebrates Shaken Baby Awareness Day in Kansas

The NCSBS’ Executive Director is traveling to Topeka to participate in a festival sharing governor’s proclamation of shaken baby awareness day in honor of Mireya Keck, victim of shaken baby syndrome who passed away in January

Topeka, Kansas – October 7, 2024 – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly proclaimed October 9, 2024 as Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Day in Kansas, and National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) Executive Director Danielle Vazquez will be in Topeka to celebrate with the family of the young girl for whom the proclamation honors, Mireya Keck, who passed away this past January from the injuries she sustained when she was shaken at just seven (7) weeks old.

“It is an honor to be in Kansas to recognize Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Day at the Miracle Mireya Butterfly Family Festival,” says Vazquez. “We’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Mireya’s mother, Kathy, over the last few months learning about her drive to prevent shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma in Kansas and support families through the Miracle Mireya Foundation. We already have strong prevention partners in Kansas including the Kansas Children’s Service League and several hospitals and medical centers. Now with the Miracle Mireya Foundation getting started with Kathy’s direction, we are excited about the renewed focus on the safety of Kansas’ children. The steps taken now will benefit children well into the future.”

The free family festival is expected to draw hundreds to Gage Park in Topeka where they can find hours of entertainment from dozens of organizations and community groups who will be there to support the Miracle Mireya Foundation. Several area food and beverage trucks will also be at the festival to serve those attending. 

While the festival serves to bring awareness to shaken baby syndrome (SBS) and honor Mireya’s life, why the butterfly theme?

“Mireya loved butterflies,” says Kathy Keck, Mireya’s mother and the founder of the Miracle Mireya Foundation. “Our daughter Josie was still born in 2013, and we started seeing butterflies everywhere.  After Mireya entered our lives whenever a butterfly would appear, we’d tell her it was her sister watching over her.  Also, Mireya’s life story is the perfect example of the life cycle of butterfly going from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly and her life emulates the concept of the butterfly effect.”

In the spirit of the event, festival attendees can expect to be offered a butterfly-themed item before they leave. “We’ve asked all the organizations who are participating to bring something butterfly-themed that they can share with those who attend the festival,” says Keck. “And the first one hundred children who arrive will get a free pair of butterfly wings.”

The festival will also include an auction with proceeds directly benefiting the foundation and their mission to prevent SBS, support families of children with disabilities and spread joy through acts of kindness. Donations to the foundation are encouraged, and attendees will have options to donate at the event. Donations can also be made on their website at stopshakenbaby.com.

“All the donations received at the festival will help us in our efforts to honor Mireya’s life through SBS prevention and helping families with disabilities,” says Keck. “We’re just getting started, and we have a lot of work to do. Shaken baby syndrome is devastating to babies and their families, but it’s absolutely preventable. Mireya was a miracle. She lived eight years after suffering what one neurologist said was one of the worst cases of shaken baby that had survived. We want to do our part to make sure no other families need a miracle to see their babies live for eight years.”

Download the Press Release PDF