RELEASE: January 25, 2005

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Human Services grants to protect babies

Community groups to promote Safe Haven Infant Protection Act

TRENTON—Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner James M. Davy announced grants to 21 community groups today to promote the state's Safe Haven program to help stop baby abandonments.

"Protecting New Jersey 's children and making sure their mothers have the services and information they need to make the right decisions is one of the most important things government can do," said Acting Governor Richard J. Codey. "The Safe Haven program allows us to join forces with communities to prevent the tragedy of abandoned infants."

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 and a half 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 this time last 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 expanded upon the existing media advertising campaign by calling for partnerships 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 to promote the program last year, four of our 18 Safe Haven babies have occurred.”

Of the 18 Safe Haven babies, 11 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 . Four 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.

As part of today's event, Commissioner Davy announced over $149,092 in funding to 21 community groups to help support their grassroots efforts in promoting the Safe Haven program. Grantees included:

•  Bethel Worldwide Outreach Ministries, Inc.; Newark , Essex County ; $8,000

•  Beyond Expectations, Inc; Willingboro , Burlington County ; $4,245

•  Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden ; Camden , Camden County ; $6,600

•  Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen; Perth Amboy , Middlesex County ; $10,000

•  Cerebral Palsy Association of Middlesex County ; Edison , Middlesex County ; $10,000

•  Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, Inc.; Whitesboro, Cape May County ; $8,000

•  Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies of Essex, Inc.; Newark , Essex County ; $8,000

•  Hoboken Organization Against Poverty & Economic Stress; Hoboken , Hudson County ; $5,000

•  Hope Community Development Center ; Teaneck , Bergen County ; $6,000

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

•  Mercer County Commission on Abused, Neglected & Missing Children; Trenton , Mercer County ; $10,000

•  My Daughters Keeper; North Brunswick , Middlesex County ; $7,500

•  NJ Youth Corps, NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development; Trenton , Mercer County ; $8,000

•  NORWESCAP F.A.C.E.S., Phillipsburg Family Resource Center ; Phillipsburg , Warren County ; $5,872

•  Ocean County Community Development Corporation; South Toms River , Ocean County ; $7,000

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

•  Saint Clare's Hospital Center for the Prevention of Children; Booton Township , Morris County ; $6,000

•  Soul Brothers Production Company, Inc.; Highland Park , Middlesex County ; $7,000

•  The PEACE Center @ Bridge of Peace Community Church ; Camden , Camden County ; $8,375

•  Trenton Ecumenical Area Ministry (T.E.A.M.); Trenton , Mercer County ; $5,000

•  Vision Inspires Synergy in Organizations Nationwide; Elizabeth , Union County ; $8,500.

Commissioner Davy also announced the familiar Safe Haven media campaign “No shame. No blame. No names.” will be relaunched over the next several weeks and feature advertisements on cable television stations, radio stations and NJ Transit locations.

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

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