About Us > The KIDS Network
The Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network, Inc. (KIDS Network) serves those individuals who have been touched by the tragedy of infant death or SIDS and those individuals or organizations who strive to reduce the risk of infant deaths by providing supportive services, community education, professional training, and supporting associated research.
The Kansas Infant Death and SIDS (KIDS) Network, Inc. was founded in 1996 as the SIDS Network of Kansas and certified as a non-profit corporation in the State of Kansas on July 31, 1998. The Network serves the entire State of Kansas, which spans 82,000 square miles, and whose population is 2.7 million. The KIDS Network is a support organization dedicated to providing grief and bereavement support services to families that experience the sudden death of an infant. Additionally, the Network provides community awareness and professional education specific to sudden infant death.
Christy Schunn
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Christy Schunn, LSCSW, is the executive director of the Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network. She has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Bethel College and Master of Social Welfare from the University of Kansas. Christy is a licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in the State of Kansas and member of the National Association of Social Workers, the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death and the Association of Death Educators and Counselors. Christy serves as chair of the Center for Research on Infant Birth and Survival (CRIBS), member of the March of Dimes board of directors and previous board member of Safe Kids Kansas and the National Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs as Treasurer from 2007-2015.
Christy conducts statewide professional development and community education for first responders, health care providers, parents, caregivers and child care providers; technical assistance on safe sleep and Fetal Infant Mortality Review; and counseling to bereft families and caregivers. |
Libby Baumgartner
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Libby Baumgartner, MS serves as the bereavement specialist and art therapist at the Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network. She has a Bachelor in Social Work from Goshen College and a Master of Art Therapy from Emporia State University. Libby has held jobs in social service related fields for over 20 years. Libby is a member of Association for Death Education and Counseling.
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Brenda Salinas
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Brenda Salinas is the office manager at the Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network. A native Californian, Brenda comes to the KIDS Network with experience in maternal infant health systems and is working to pursue her bachelor of nursing.
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Maria Torres
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Maria Torres is the program director of the Safe Sleep Expansion Project at the Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network. Maria graduated May 13, 2017 with honors from Wichita State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Management and Community Development with focus in Public Health. Maria was awarded with the 2017 Community Service Award and was nominated by her professors to be inducted to the Alpha Eta Society. Maria enjoys helping others and she said “by working with the KIDS Network I will be able to help and touch many lives.”
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Board of Directors & Regional Directors
The KIDS Network became a reality by selecting a Board of Directors and hiring a Program Director in November 2000 to coordinate SIDS services in Kansas. The current board membership includes bereaved parents, grandparents, child care providers, first responders, pediatrician, OB/GYN, family medicine, funeral director, and select members of the general public.