The predecessor to the Michigan Children's Institute was the State Public School established at Coldwater, Michigan by Pulic Act 172 of 1871. The school was charged with the temporary care and education of dependent, neglected and mis-treated children ages four through sixteen, until homes could be found for the children. Control of the school was overseen by a central board of state institutions until 1893, when the Board of Control of the State Public School was reinstated. Control remained with the Board until it was passed in 1921 to the newly created State Institute Commission of the State Welfare Department. In 1935, Public Act 220 abolished the State Public School at Coldwater and created the Michigan Children's Institute in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Public Act 280 of 1939 moved the Institute under the State Juvenile Commission of the Department of Social Welfare. The Commission was abolished in 1947, being replaced by the Social Welfare Commission. With the passage of the Executive Organization Act of 1965, the Children's Institute was placed under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Social Services.
From the description of Minutes of the Board of Control for the State Public School, 1871-1921. (State Archive of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 62266434
