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.