Newborn Relinquish Procedure offered by National Safe Haven Alliance
Newborn Relinquish Procedure offered by National Safe Haven Alliance
Eligibility
Hours
Languages
Spanish
Application process
Call crisis line, Text SAFEHAVEN or go to website for nearest drop-off location. When bringing newborn baby, give to staff and let them know that the infant is being left with Safe Haven. Information provided to the staff person receiving your child will be kept strictly confidential.
Fees
None.
Service area
US
Description
Operates a crisis line staffed 24/7 by social workers, nurses, and paramedics that have received comprehensive training and are able to support and assist parents and providers to safe places where they can leave an unharmed, newborn baby. Provides direct resources to assist and prevent infant abandonment. Washington state law allows a parent to leave an unharmed newborn, up to three days old, at any staffed hospital emergency room, staffed fire station or staffed Federally Designated Rural Health Clinic. Child must be handed to a staff member on duty. No questions will be asked and confidentiality is assured. The mother will be offered a brief medical history questionnaire and response envelope to take with her and mail to hospital or fire department. Police will not be called. The newborn will be given any needed medical care and then placed in foster care for adoption.
What's Here
Providing organization
National Safe Haven Alliance
Offers a Crisis hotline that directs callers to safe places where they can drop off an unharmed, newborn baby up to 72 hours old. State law provides a parent, who might otherwise abandon their child, an opportunity to leave their newborn at a hospital emergency room, staffed fire station or federally designated rural health clinic.