Prevention Educator

 Position Overview
Over the last 20 years the CAC has noted that in most years there are occurrences of injuries to infants and very young children identified as being the results of abusive head trauma (AHT) which is also sometimes identified as “shaken baby syndrome.” While many of these injuries are the result of tragic accidents, some cases have resulted in criminal charges and convictions. In any event, these are preventable injuries. In order to address AHT in Erie County, the CAC is implementing an evidenced based program: “Period of Purple Crying program” developed by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome.
This program provides the opportunity for parents to learn about the crying characteristics they are experiencing during this unique period in the first few months of life and gives this period a name. This crying begins at about two weeks of age and usually ends by four or five months of age, and often earlier. The letters in the PURPLE acronym describe these normal characteristics of infant crying: 
•    Peak of Crying – Crying peaks during the second month, decreasing after that 
•    Unexpected – Crying comes and goes unexpectedly, for no apparent reason
•    Resists Soothing – Crying continues despite all soothing efforts by caregivers 
•    Pain-like Face – Infants look like they are in pain, even when they are not 
•    Long Lasting – Crying can go on for 30-40 minutes at a time, and often for much longer 
•    Evening Crying – Crying occurs more in the late afternoon and evening 

The word “Period” is used to let parents know that this experience of increased frustrating crying is temporary, and eventually does come to an end.