Programs & Links
The Children's Trust Fund serves as a voice for Michigan's children and families and promotes their health, safety, and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect. For more information, read our Current State Plan.
The Period of Purple Crying
The Period of PURPLE Crying is a new way to help parents understand this time in their baby's life, which is a normal part of every infant's development. It is confusing and concerning to be told your baby "has colic" because it sounds like it is an illness or a condition that is abnormal. When the baby is given medication to treat symptoms of colic, it reinforces the idea that there is something wrong with the baby, when in fact, the baby is going through a very normal developmental phase. That is why we prefer to refer to this time as the Period of PURPLE Crying. This is not because the baby turns purple while crying. The acronym is a meaningful and memorable way to describe what parents and their babies are going through. The Period of PURPLE Crying begins at about 2 weeks of age and continues until about 3-4 months of age. There are other common characteristics of this phase, or period, which are better described by the acronym PURPLE. All babies go through this period. It is during this time that some babies can cry a lot and some far less, but they all go through it.
Safe Sleep
Resources are available through many State and local programs to educate new parents on Safe Sleep for Infants. There are steps that should be followed to ensure your baby is safe while sleeping. We know that it can be tempting to bring your baby to bed with you, or let your baby sleep in a bouncy seat just so you can get some rest. But the fact is that a baby dies every three days in Michigan and these deaths are 100% preventable. Take the time to learn how to put your baby to sleep safely each and every time. The videos and documents below will show you what’s safe and what is not.
Safe Delivery allows parents to safely surrender their newborn child no more than 72 hours old to an employee who is inside and on duty at any hospital, fire department, police station, or by calling 911. This program is a safe, legal and anonymous alternative to abandonment or infanticide and releases the newborn for placement with an adoptive family.
Safe Delivery Hotline: 866-733-7733
MI ACE Data Dashboard
Safe Delivery allows parents to safely surrender their newborn child no more than 72 hours old to an employee who is inside and on duty at any hospital, fire department, police station, or by calling 911. This program is a safe, legal and anonymous alternative to abandonment or infanticide and releases the newborn for placement with an adoptive family.
Trauma and Toxic Stress
Here you will find information about trauma & toxic stress, the impact on health and development, and ways to lessen negative outcomes - information from national and state experts that are working to build trauma-informed systems of care for children and their families in Michigan. The information is meant for human service professionals in all sectors as well as parents and caregivers.