The Yonkers Insider

April 11, 2008

Darryl Gibbs in People Magazine.

Filed under: Darryl Gibbs — wielandheusler @ 1:39 am

June 19, 2007

Darryl Gibbs gets key to the City from Mayor Amicone.

Filed under: City of Yonkers, Darryl Gibbs, Mayor Amicone — wielandheusler @ 11:28 pm

Amicone Presents ‘Key to the City’ to Child-Advocate Darryl A. Gibbs.

Gibbs Receives City’s Highest Honor in Recognition of His Tireless Efforts on Behalf of Abused and Neglected Children

Yonkers, N.Y. (June 19, 2007) - Recognizing the ongoing, tireless efforts that Darryl A. Gibbs has made on behalf of children, Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone today presented Gibbs with a ‘Key to the City of Yonkers’ at a special ceremony held at City Hall in the Mayor’s Reception Room.

After his third daughter, Cynthia, died on November 17, 2000 as a result of Shaken Baby Syndrome at the hands of a New York State Certified Child Care Provider, Darryl Gibbs dedicated himself to fighting for justice for his daughter, assisting individuals in understanding the complexities of the Criminal Justice System and working to help balance the scales of justice.

Gibbs, a Yonkers resident, founded The Cynthia Gibbs Foundation in 2001 to help reduce the incidences of child abuse and neglect, raise awareness about Shaken Baby Syndrome and help assure that other children do not suffer the same fate as his own daughter.

Mayor Phil Amicone said, “Darryl Gibbs is a unique individual who was able to turn his own personal hardship, the tragic loss of his baby girl, Cynthia, into a fight on behalf of all children. Darryl’s fight soon became the passion that has enabled him to carry his work from the New York State legislature to the halls of Congress.”

“Darryl has not only been a dedicated advocate for crime victims and an eloquent spokesperson regarding the horrors of Shaken Baby Syndrome, but has become an effective, tenacious lobbyist on behalf of children throughout the United States,” continued Mayor Amicone.

In 2006, due in large part to Darryl’s lobbying efforts, New York State added ‘Cynthia’s Law’ as a new crime of ‘Reckless Assault of a Child’ to the New York State Penal Law and a ‘Shaken Baby Public Information and Educational Campaign’ to the State Public Health Law.Mayor Amicone stated, “Rather than stopping his crusade to protect our children after his considerable success in New York State, Darryl is now fighting to protect America’s children by taking aim at the federal government. Using all of his lobbying skills and personal charisma, Darryl is tirelessly working for the passage of federal legislation H.R. 2052 and S. 1204 - — ‘The Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Act of 2007.”

“Darryl is a man with a cause, a man with a mission; on behalf of all Yonkers’ residents, I am pleased to present him with a ‘Key to the City of Yonkers’ in recognition of his continuing effort to protect our most precious resource, the children of our Nation,” concluded Mayor Amicone.

In accepting the ‘Key to the City,’ Darryl Gibbs said, “I am honored and humbled by this special presentation. As a longtime resident of this great City, it is especially meaningful to me that my City has so beautifully acknowledged the part that I have played, and will continue to play, in protecting our children. This is not only an honor for me, but also a fitting tribute to the memory of my beloved daughter, Cynthia.”

Source: City of Yonkers Press Release.

For more press releases like this, Link To: www.yonkersny.gov.

June 18, 2007

Darryl Gibbs and his cause.

Filed under: Darryl Gibbs — wielandheusler @ 7:31 pm

April 23, 2007

Darryl Gibbs and his cause.

Filed under: Darryl Gibbs — wielandheusler @ 5:08 pm
April 17, 2007 WEEK DESIGNATED TO PREVENT SHAKING INJURIES TO BABIES
 

County Executive Andy Spano presents a proclamation to Darryl Gibbs of the Shaken Baby Prevention Initiative.

Recognizing the success of a countywide effort to prevent shaking injuries to young children, County Executive Andy Spano has designated this week as Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) Awareness Week 2007.

A proclamation is being presented to a representative of the Hudson Valley SBS Prevention Initiative today at Spano’s office in White Plains. SBS Awareness Week is also being recognized statewide.

A countywide effort to educate new parents and other caregivers about the vulnerability of young children to shaking injuries began in 2002 when Spano announced a plan to launch a public information campaign at the county’s maternity hospitals. Coordinated by Westchester Medical Center and the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, with funding from the NYS Children and Families Trust Fund, the Hudson Valley Shaken Baby Prevention Initiative built upon this and now involves 21 hospitals in seven Hudson Valley counties where more than 26,000 children are born. The program now also includes a primary care pediatrician network.

“Education is key, and we have been giving parents every opportunity to help protect their child,” Spano said. “Our maternity hospitals and their staff have played a critical role in supporting prevention education. We’re confident that awareness regarding shaken baby syndrome will keep increasing.”

This prevention education program involves nurses from the health department training the maternity nursing staff at the 21 hospitals on how to educate new parents. The hospitals are provided with educational materials (both English and Spanish) which include brochures and an eight minute video, titled “Portrait of Promise.” These materials educate the parents about to handle a crying baby and the damage that shaking can cause.

The HVSBPI recently added another component, a music CD of lullabies that is now being distributed by doctors offices.

“The CD contains 10 lullabies specifically written and performed to help sooth a crying baby and calm a frustrated parent or caregiver,” said Dr. Robin Altman, chief of General Pediatrics at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center and co-director of the HVSBPI.

“The packaging also offers tips on how to console a crying baby as well as a 24-hour toll free parent helpline which is available in English and Spanish.”

Organizers of the Initiative are asking all seven counties involved to designate the Week and recognize the Initiative and the collaborating hospitals for all they have done to educate parents and help them protect their children.

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