The Cradle of Hope project, a Positive Alternatives grantee, has been granted additional state funds for 315 crib vouchers to be distributed to low income families with newborns anywhere in the state. Many areas of the state have designated Crib Sites (list attached) where pregnant women and women with babies up to three months of age may be referred. Where there is no crib site, a Cradle of Hope Application for Financial Aid (attached) may be used to apply for a crib. That application can be sent directly to Cradle of Hope. Their referral process includes an application to determine financial eligibility. If eligible, the family receives a voucher to purchase a full size crib and mattress through Kmart. A discount price of $120 is funded by Cradle of Hope. The family is asked to pay the remaining $15 at the time of voucher redemption. Families are responsible for transporting and assembling the crib. An Infant Sleep Safety education folder from MDH will be provided by Cradle of Hope at each Crib Site to educate the family on the infant Safe Sleep Top Ten, crib safety, Tummy Time, etc. These additional funds are to be spent by the end of September, 2008. After that, Cradle of Hope will have a more limited supply of crib vouchers as provided by their Positive Alternatives grant. You may continue to make referrals but not as many vouchers will be issued. Cheryl Fogarty, PHN, MPH Infant Mortality Consultant Community & Family Health/MCH Section Minnesota Department of Health PO Box 64882 St. Paul, MN 55164-0882 Phone: (651) 201-3740 Fax: (651) 201-3590 cheryl.fogarty@health.state.mn.us