Maine group honored for shaken baby prevention

AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) --  A campaign to educate Mainers about the dangers of shaking a baby has earned national recognition.

The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome presented an award to Maine's Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Workgroup Thursday.

The group comprises of doctors to child welfare workers. Last year they started a statewide program that gives parents and caregivers the tools to prevent shaken baby syndrome.

The 'Period of Purple Crying' is now being implemented in more than 90 percent of Maine's birthing hospitals. Pam Belisle's son jake died more than 11 years ago after bieng shaken by his babysitter. She started 'Don't Shake Jake' and is working closely with the group to help teach others how to cope with a crying newborn.

Officials with the workgroup say it is still too early to tell if the statewide program will have an impact on the number of shaken baby deaths in the state.