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Human Services partnership to protect babies

NJ commemorates fourth anniversary of Safe Haven program

TRENTON— Commemorating the fourth anniversary of the Safe Haven Infant Protection Act, Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Jim Davy announced today over a dozen grants to community agencies to help stop baby abandonments.

One of the first states to have a baby abandonment law, New Jersey 's Safe Haven program took effect in August 2000. Under the law, a baby can be surrendered at a police station or hospital emergency room without fear of prosecution - provided that the baby is less than 30 days old and has not been abused or neglected.

Over the past four years, 18 babies have been safely turned over to the state through the Safe Haven program,” said Commissioner Davy. “However, more still needs to be done as evidenced by the surge in abandonments earlier this year.”

Within a two week span in January 2004, three babies were left abandoned in unsafe locations. Two of these babies were found dead. In response, Commissioner Davy increased advertising funding by $100,000 and announced plans to partner with local communities to spread the “No shame. No blame. No names.” message about Safe Haven.

“Safe Haven does work,” said Commissioner Davy. “Since our increased efforts earlier this year to promote the program, four of our 18 Safe Haven babies have occurred.”

Of the 18 Safe Haven babies, 10 babies were formally adopted through the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) including the first Safe Haven baby on August 17, 2000 at Newark Beth Israel Hospital . Five other babies are in different stages of the adoption process. The remaining three babies were returned to their mothers who had a change of heart.

“We need to take whatever steps are necessary to let people in our communities know about Safe Haven,” said Commissioner Davy. “Only by partnering together with local communities can we prevent tragedies like abandoned babies.”

As part of today's event, Commissioner Davy announced over $80,000 in funding to 16 community agencies to help support their grassroots efforts in promoting the Safe Haven program. Grantees included:

•  American Red Cross of Central New Jersey ; Princeton , Mercer County ; $2,855

•  Atlantic County Department of Family and Community Development; Atlantic City , Atlantic County ; $10,000

•  Boys and Girls Clubs of Union County ; Plainfield , Union County ; $5,000

•  Children's Futures; Trenton , Mercer County ; $5,000

•  El Centro of Catholic Charities; Trenton , Mercer County ; $4,625

•  Fisherman's Mark; Lambertville, Mercer County ; $5,000

•  Grant Community Development Corporation; Chesilhurst, Camden County ; $5,000

•  Lakewood Community Services Corporation; Lakewood , Ocean County ; $5,000

•  Mount Zion Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation; Trenton , Mercer County ; $5,000

•  My Daughter's Keeper; North Brunswick , Middlesex County ; $4,990

•  New Jersey Youth Corps, Department of Labor and Workforce Development; Trenton , Mercer County ; $5,000

•  North Jersey Counseling Centers, Inc.; Randolph , Morris County ; $3,398

•  Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey ; New Brunswick , Middlesex County ; $5,000

•  Soul Brothers Production Company; Highland Park , Middlesex County ; $5,000

•  Saint Matthews Community Development Corporation; Williamstown, Gloucester County ; $4,195

•  Women's Crisis Center; Flemington, Hunterdon County; $5,000.

For more information on the Safe Haven program, call the Safe Haven hotline at 1-877-839-2339.