The California SIDS Advisory Council is a nine-member state appointed council. It was legislatively established in 1989 to advise the California Department Public Health of the most current issues and information related to SIDS. Specific activities of the council are to provide guidance in the development of training, educational and research programs; identify and recommend action to address program needs targeting specific groups; and to convene an annual statewide conference in conjunction with the California Department of Public Health and the California SIDS Program. One-third of the Council are representatives of SIDS parent groups, and the remaining members are professionals who are directly involved with providing services to the SIDS community.

The Council Chair, appointed by the Director of the California Department of Public Health, presides over the Council's meetings and sets the agenda for addressing the needs and concerns of the SIDS community. Dr. Thomas G. Keens, a renowned SIDS researcher is the current Council Chair. Under his leadership the Council is working together to improve California's SIDS services, education and research. To view the issues currently being discussed and the Council's plan of action, we encourage you to access the Advisory Council Chair Updates and Actions prepared by Dr. Keens.

For meeting information, please contact Guey-Shiang Tsay, RN, MSN at the California Department of Public Health via email at Guey-Shiang.Tsay@cdph.ca.gov or telephone her at 916-650-0374. Visit the calendar for a listing of planned Council meeting dates.