In 1992, shaken baby prevention programs were incorporated at the Child Abuse Prevention Center (CAPC) of Utah.

In 1996, the First National Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome was organized through the CAPC of Utah and was hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah after demand for information about SBS/AHT (Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma) grew. This conference drew over 750 participants including leading experts on SBS, medical professionals and family members of children who have been shaken.

In 1997, the National Information, Support and Referral Service on Shaken Baby Syndrome, a service of the Child Abuse Prevention Center, was started in response to an overwhelming number of calls coming to the Center after sponsoring the First National Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome in 1996.

In 1998, the CAPC of Utah organized the Second National Conference on SBS, again hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah where 866 participants attended including representatives from 49 states of the U.S. and 6 different countries.

In 2000, in response to a national need for more information and training, the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) separated from the CAPC of Utah and incorporated into a legal entity made possible through the generous funding from the Dr. W.C. Swanson Family Foundation. Also in 2000, the NCSBS organized the Third National Conference on SBS hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah, which included the first legal institute consisting of an analysis of a hypothetical SBS/AHT case and featuring expert prosecutors and medical professionals from throughout the U.S. Also, in 2000, the NCSBS organized the International Advisory Board (IAB) who represents some of the most outstanding scientists and experts on SBS/AHT in the world and serves to advise the center staff on issues related to program development, testing and implementation and are actively involved in the design process for research and study conducted by the NCSBS.

Between the years of 2000-2004, the NCSBS developed and implemented a variety of SBS/AHT prevention programs and materials including a hospital-based program, school-based program, and numerous brochures, cards, and magnets that contain information about the dangers of shaking a baby.

In 2001, the NCSBS organized the National Australian Conference on SBS hosted in Sydney, Australia. This conference was specifically designed for the benefit of Australian professionals, families and victims involved in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of SBS in the development and establishment of SBS prevention programs and marked the NCSBS’ first international conference.

In 2002, the NCSBS organized the Fourth National Conference on SBS, again hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah drawing an attendance of 549 including representation from 6 foreign countries.

In 2003, the NCSBS again ventured into international territory and organized the European Conference on SBS hosted in Edinburgh, Scotland. This European Conference attracted over 400 participants from 22 different nations.

In 2004, the NCSBS received grants from The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation to conduct research on the SBS prevention program the Period of PURPLE Crying®, which to date would become the only empirically-tested SBS prevention program in the world. The NCSBS also organized the Fifth North American Conference on SBS (formerly known as the National Conference) hosted in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, which drew 560 participants from 13 different nations.

In 2006, The NCSBS marked its 10th anniversary of organizing the world’s most in-depth trainings in SBS/AHT by hosting the Sixth North American Conference on SBS in Park City, Utah.

In 2007, The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation awarded a grant to the NCSBS for a 5-year research project in North Carolina to test the effects of the Period of PURPLE Crying® program. Also in 2007, the United States Department of Defense awarded a grant to the NCSBS to develop a military-specific SBS prevention kit. Finally in 2007, the Period of PURPLE Crying® program was released for sale to the public.

In 2008, Utah becomes the first state in the U.S. to fully implement the Period of PURPLE Crying® program in all state hospitals and birthing centers. The NCSBS continues to lead the efforts to prevent SBS/AHT by investing in research, developing prevention programs and materials, and providing superior training venues through conferences and customized trainings.