Safe Place for Newborns

• Developing Hospital Procedures

• See Safe Place for Newborn hospital procedures developed by hospitals in urban and rural communities. 

• Sample Medical Questionnaire

• What are the mother's rights?

• Community Education

Developing Procedures:

Incorporating the Safe Place for Newborns program generally requires only minor adaptations in a hospital’s current procedures. Hospitals have found it helpful to have a two-pronged approach when adopting the Safe Place for Newborns program:

1. Administrative: Hospital administrators will need to adjust applicable hospital procedures and protocols. For some hospitals, this has included seeking approval from the Hospital’s Board of Directors.
2. Training: Developing and implementing training for hospital personnel. Most hospitals train all hospital personnel. A young woman in crisis may be more likely to leave her baby with a secretary as she is a nurse or doctor.
3. Check back soon for further information. 

What are the mother's rights?

If the newborn is 3 days old or less, unharmed, and brought to a hospital employee at a hospital by the by the mother, or person acting with the mother's permission, the mother:

• Has the right to remain anonymous.

• May be given information that the hospital deems appropriate.

• Must not be followed or detained; no police will be called.

Community Education:

Once a hospital's procedures are in place, most hospitals wish to do something in the area of community education.  Contact Safe Place for Newborns to receive brochures, posters, static clings, a Public Service Announcement for television and radio, and other ideas.

How about a Safe Place for Newborns Community Education Day?   Contact Safe Place for Newborns to learn how this idea has worked in hospitals around the country.

Map will direct you to Safe Haven laws in other states.