BCAPOP's Member-Only Community of Practice: The Period of PURPLE Crying® Program: Influences of Social Determinants of Health on Families

This presentation will provide an overview of the Period of PURPLE Crying® Program (PURPLE) to support all perinatal families in BC. It will describe how traumatic head injury due to child maltreatment (THI-CM) and other physical abuse towards infants and toddlers can be influenced by the social determinants of health and health inequities. It will offer strategies that can support the health and wellbeing of parents and caregivers, such as action planning in the postpartum period.

Learning objectives:

·         Define the Period of PURPLE Crying

·         List soothing and coping strategies for parents and caregivers with new babies

·         Describe links between THI-CM and social determinants of health

·         Identify additional resources available for perinatal families and caring professionals

Content warning:

This presentation will mention child abuse and trauma towards infants and young children. While our intent is to strengthen awareness about PURPLE to support perinatal families, the content may bring up difficult feelings or thoughts. Care for yourself as you listen and reach out to trusted supports as you need them.

Presenter: Randi Leanne Parsons, RN, BScN

Randi Leanne Parsons is the Regional Nursing Lead for Maternal Infant Health with Northern Health’s Public Health Practice team. This nursing leadership role allows her to advocate for high-quality, equitable services offered to all mothers/pregnant people, young children, and families living in Northern BC. Through stewardship and human-centred relational practice, Randi supports community health nurses who care for families during pregnancy, after birth, and in the early years. With her husband, they’re humbly raising their two young children on the traditional territories of the Dakelh people (specifically Nadleh Whut’en and Stellat’en First Nations). In her free time, Randi enjoys playing with arts and crafts, learning in her gardens, and forest bathing across BC.

Presenter: Karen Sadler

Karen Sadler is the Provincial Manager for Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC (PSBSBC). She manages an evidence-based injury prevention program (PURPLE) and oversees its delivery, training, outreach across all health authorities. She leads knowledge translation, research and new initiatives. She is passionate about what she does, her family and her dog.