The African American church has historically been the center of natural systems of support for African Americans. It is viewed as a credible source for information and direction on life choices. Reports from African American families indicate that appropriate support around fetal and infant loss has often been lacking.

To respond to the bereavement needs of families within their faith community, the National Sudden Unexpected Infant/Child Death and Pregnancy Loss Program Support Center (PSC), has collaborated with Georgetown University’s National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC) and the National SIDS Resource Center (NSRS) to develop the African American Faith-Based Bereavement Initiative (AAFBI).

Since 2007, PSC, NCCC and NSRC have hosted two one-day strategic planning meetings to discuss the critical issues surrounding grief and bereavement support for African American families who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss. Those who have attended these meetings include African American clergy, bereaved parents, pediatric and perinatal bereavement support providers from the from the District of Columbia and Maryland. Facilitated breakout sessions were held where the participants met both separately and collectively to discuss their unique roles in supporting families experiencing a fetal, infant or child death.

In 2009 the Centers hosted two sessions specific to the AAFBBI in conjunction with First Cadnle’s National Symposium on Stillbirth and SIDS. The first session was an interactive half-day informational dialogue on providing perinatal bereavement support within the faith-based African American community. The second was a private, invitation only, clergy breakfast that brought together local clergy to network and discuss how to increase the ability of faith-based communities in providing bereavement support when a family experiences a pregnancy or infant loss.