The Coalition’s Responsible Fatherhood Initiative and the barbers of the Arlington community are targeting fathers, father figures and men of all ages to educate and assist in the prevention of Infant Mortality in Duval County through a training and community event.

The Make a Noise! Make a Difference! initiative to prevent infant mortality will assist in training nine barber shops with at least 18 barbers on prevention methods men can use to support the babies mother’s before, during and after pregnancy, updated state & local FIMR data and other strategies to help inform not only the men who patronize their shops for hair cuts, shaves and “man talk”; but inform the neighborhoods surrounding their shops as well.

To help get this vital information to as many families as possible, an Infant Mortality Awareness and Prevention Event will held on Sunday, September 22, 2013 from 1-4 pm at the Bruce Park Playground and Field in the Arlington community. Food, refreshments, music, games, three raffles and flag football games played by children 10-13 years old are part of the events activities.

The public is invited and the barbers will be on hand talking with everyone about how their barber shops are helping to bring awareness and prevention to the community as well as provide Infant Mortality brochures, pamphlets and other materials to all in attendance through out the day.