Here is some great information about the Safe Haven program from Summit County Children Services website, www.summitkids.org.

What is Safe Havens for Newborns?

Not all women who get pregnant are ready to raise a child. Sometimes they see no options except to abandon the baby. Safe Havens provides a new option. It allows a birth parent to leave a newborn infant (less than 30 days old) with:

• a medical worker in a hospital;
• a medical worker at a fire department or other emergency service organization; or
• a peace officer at a law enforcement agency.

If the infant is left with a person at one of these places, and has not been abused, the parent will face no legal consequences for making this choice.

Who can take a newborn to a Safe Haven?

The birth parent (mother or father) can take a child to a Safe Haven. The law provides protection from prosecution only for the child 's parents.

Does the birth parent have to call before taking an infant to a Safe Haven?

No. A birth parent may take a newborn to a Safe Haven at any time until the child is 30 days old.

What information will the birth parent have to provide?

The birth parent is not required to provide any information, including his or her name. However, it would help the baby if the birth parent chose to provide basic health information. The birth parent will be offered a form to guide them in providing the most important health information.

What happens next?

If the baby needs medical attention, it will be provided. The professional staff person who accepts the baby will contact the county children services agency; and the baby will be placed in an adoptive home. There are many families who want to adopt a baby.

When a parent cannot care for an infant, leaving the baby at a Safe Haven may be the best choice for the child. If the birth parent is not sure about this decision, an adoption social worker can help by providing information on available options and services for birth parents and their babies. Information is also available:

Online at: HELP ME GROW

Toll Free: 1-800-755-4769.

Any birth parent who wants to raise a baby but doesn't know how, may also call the Help Me Grow hotline to get information about caring for and raising children.

Home Again / HPRP for Summit County

Home Again is a collaboration of several Summit County social service agencies, which together will operate the Homeless Prevention Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) for Akron and Summit County.

The Partners For Home Again are:

- Info Line, Inc. - Central assessment and eligibility determination

- The Salvation Army - Homeless prevention services for homeless individuals and families

- H.M. Life Opportunity Services - Rapid re-housing services for homeless individuals and families

- Summit County Children’s Services - Homeless prevention and rapid re-housing services for emancipated youth who have aged out of foster care in Summit County.

Home Again HPRP funds can provide temporary financial assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services to those individuals and families who are homeless or would be homeless but for this assistance.

For more information call 330.615.0566. Office hours are 9:00am to noon, Monday through Thursday.

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HOMELESS PREVENTION

Homeless Prevention services are provided by The Salvation Army and Summit County Children Services. The main focus is on preventing homelessness by assisting those at risk of losing their existing housing. This will keep these households out of the shelter system. This is a program of last resort - all other options must be exhausted.

To be eligible for the program you must meet ALL of the following eligibility requirements:
- Live in Summit County
- Lack financial resources and support networks needed to obtain immediate housing
- Have sufficient income to sustain housing after receiving assistance, this generally means a household income of at least $500/month
- Have moderate barriers to obtaining market housing
- Household income must be at or below 50% of Area Median Income

You must also meet AT LEAST ONE of the following eligibility requirements:
- Age 18 to 30 and aged/aging out of foster care in Summit County
- Have notification that they will be evicted within 2 weeks from a private dwelling
- Reside in housing that has been condemned by housing officials and is no longer meant for human habitation
- Have a sudden and significant loss of income that may result in loss of housing
- Be at risk of utility disconnection that may result in loss of housing
- Face impending foreclosure of rental housing
- have current or past involvement with child welfare
- Experience high overcrowding
- Be discharged within two weeks from a hospital or other institution without a housing plan in place

The program will NOT assist with:
- Mortgage costs including fees, taxes, refinancing expenses and legal services
- Other costs such as construction or rehabilitation of shelters or housing, credit card bills or other consumer debt, car repair or other transportation costs, travel, food, medical and dental care and medicines, clothing and grooming, home furnishings, child care, pet care, entertainment activities, employment training, and work or education related materials.

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RAPID REHOUSING

Rapid Re-Housing services are provided by The Salvation Army and Summit County Children Services. The main focus is to assist those who are experiencing homelessness to quickly access and sustain permanent housing. This will minimize shelter stays and increase stability by offering supportive services. This is a program of last resort - all other options must be exhausted.

You must meet ALL of the following eligibility requirements:
- Live in Summit County
- Lack financial resources and support networks needed to obtain immediate housing
- Have sufficient income to sustain housing after receiving assistance; this generally means a household income of at least $500/month
- Moderate barriers to obtaining market housing
- Household income must be at or below 50% of Area Median Income

Must also meet AT LEAST ONE of the following eligibility requirements:
- Age 18 to 30 and aged/aging out of foster care in Summit County
- Sleeping in an emergency shelter OR
- Sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation (cars, parks,abandoned buildings) OR
- Graduating from, or timing out of a transitional housing program OR
- Staying in a hospital or other institution for up to 180 days but was sleeping in an emergency shelter or other place not meant for human habitation prior to hospitalization OR
- Victim of domestic violence

The program will NOT assist with:
- Mortgage costs including fees, taxes, refinancing expenses and legal services
- Other costs such as construction or rehabilitation of shelters or housing, credit card bills or other consumer debt, car repair or other transportation costs, travel, food, medical and dental care and medicines, clothing and grooming, home furnishings, child care, pet care, entertainment activities, employment training, and work or education related materials.


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For more information call 330.615.0566. Office hours are 9:00am to noon, Monday through Thursday.

Medication Disposal Event this Saturday

Med Flier

Healthy Baby Fair and Family Expo 2010

Healthy Baby Fair 2010