Nancy Cowles Honored with the Making a Difference Award at the 18th Annual Women of Achievement Awards

We are proud to announce that Nancy Cowles, former Executive Director of Kids in Danger (KID), was honored with the Making a Difference Award at the 18th Annual Women of Achievement Awards, benefitting Cribs for Kids. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have spent their lives and careers serving others, and Nancy’s work has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on countless children and families.

As the long-time leader of Kids in Danger, Nancy was a tireless advocate for children's product safety, pushing for stronger regulations and greater transparency in product recalls. Her efforts were instrumental in raising awareness about the risks of unsafe children’s products, and her advocacy has saved many lives by working with parents, manufacturers, and regulators to improve safety standards.

Nancy’s leadership at KID was a driving force behind the organization’s success, helping it become a leading voice in the fight to protect children from dangerous products. Her passion for children’s safety continues to inspire others, and we are grateful for her contributions to this vital cause.

At the awards ceremony, Nancy was celebrated not only for her professional achievements but also for her unwavering commitment to making the world a safer place for children. We are honored to have her as part of our community, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of her advocacy.

Congratulations, Nancy, on this well-deserved recognition!

Cribs for Kids Enhances Safe Sleep Initiatives with MCO Program and Gift Shop

At Cribs for Kids, our mission is to prevent infant sleep-related deaths by educating parents and caregivers on safe sleep practices and providing portable cribs to families in need. To further this mission, we have developed the Managed Care Organization (MCO) Program, offering a plan for MCOs to promote safe sleep education to their members. The goal is to increase prenatal care attendance and ensure that families receive essential safe sleep resources.

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A key advantage of our MCO Program is the Cribs for Kids Gift Shop, an educational e-commerce platform that allows MCO partners to streamline the distribution of safe sleep products. Through the Gift Shop, members can directly order safe sleep items, eliminating the need for intermediaries. This direct-order system simplifies the process, ensuring timely delivery of essential products.

Through the MCO Program and the Gift Shop, Cribs for Kids continues to support our partners in delivering vital safe sleep education and products to families, reinforcing our commitment to infant safety nationwide.

Exciting Updates on the Building Blocks Mini Grant Program

We’re excited to share an update on the Building Blocks Mini Grant Program and the ongoing efforts to provide safe sleep resources to families in need. Thanks to our dedicated partners, JPMA and Safe Kids Worldwide, we’ve seen an incredible response to the program. The number of applications we’ve received has exceeded expectations, and we are thrilled to continue supporting organizations that are working to make a difference in the lives of children and families.

The deadline for applications is fast approaching, so we encourage eligible organizations to submit their applications soon. This grant covers essential products aimed at promoting safe sleep practices, including cribs, sleep sacks, and educational resources.

We are proud to partner with JPMA and Safe Kids Worldwide in this initiative, and together, we are helping to create a safer sleep environment for babies across the country.

Apply before April 30th, 2025, and join us in making a lasting impact in communities nationwide.

Safe Sleep Champions Webinar: The AAP and Infant Safe Sleep

Register today for the next session of the Safe Sleep Champions Webinar Series, rescheduled for Thursday, May 1st, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST. This quarter’s title is “The AAP and Infant Safe Sleep: Beyond the Recommendations”.

Joining us for this important discussion are Bonnie Kozial, Manager of Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and Dr. Elizabeth Murray, an AAP Spokesperson and the Director of Child Health & Safety Communications at Golisano Children’s Hospital.

This webinar will cover the AAP's guidelines on safe sleep for infants and provide practical insights into how these recommendations can be applied to improve sleep safety in real-world situations. Whether you’re a caregiver, healthcare professional, or advocate, this session will offer valuable information to help make every baby’s sleep a safe one.

We encourage all of our partners to join this informative session and continue spreading the message that safe sleep is essential for every child.

Upcoming Events: Cribs for Kids in Action

At Cribs for Kids, we are committed to promoting safe sleep practices and supporting families and professionals in our community. Here are some upcoming events where you can connect with us:​

Babies & Bumps

St. Louis

On April 6, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., join us at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel for Babies & Bumps St. Louis.

This event is designed to help expecting and new parents prepare for pregnancy, birth, and life with a baby.

Attendees can participate in seminars, skill-building demonstrations, and connect with local businesses and organizations, including Cribs for Kids, all dedicated to supporting new and soon-to-be parents.

ASTM F15 Juvenile Product Subcommittee Meetings

From April 28 to April 30, 2025, Cribs for Kids will attend the ASTM F15 Juvenile Product Subcommittee Meetings at ASTM International Headquarters in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

These meetings focus on developing safety and performance standards for juvenile products, ensuring that products used by infants and children meet rigorous safety criteria. ​

Child Maltreatment Conference

On April 3, 2025, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Cribs for Kids will present our Child Welfare Professional training session at the Child Maltreatment Conference.

This conference, brought to us by the Child Advocacy Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, brings together professionals dedicated to addressing and preventing child maltreatment, and our training aims to enhance understanding and strategies in the critical area of safe infant sleep.

Read the Safe Sleep Spotlight Partner Newsletter each month for updates on programs, products, and upcoming events. Follow along to learn about fundraising opportunities, exciting awareness campaigns, and the latest in news about infant safe sleep. Thank you for everything you do to help us fulfill our mission. We couldn't do what we do without our extended Cribs for Kids family.

Please email info@cribsforkids.org with any personnel changes, address changes, or contact email addresses to keep our database current. Names and address changes made via our ordering system don’t automatically update our database.