Saving Babies National Safe Haven Alliance A partnership between the National Safe Haven Alliance and the National Exchange Club www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

Mission Statement National Safe Haven Alliance The National Safe Haven Alliance (NSHA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group dedicated to supporting states’ efforts to prevent infanticide and unsafe newborn abandonment through safe-haven relinquishments. The organization achieves this goal by publicizing this safe, legal alternative to abandonment, and by providing resources to states and state-based organizations. It is NSHA’s belief that its efforts will help protect and save babies’ lives. www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

Between 1998 and 1999, an unprecedented number of infants were illegally abandoned in the United States. Sadly called “dumpster babies,” many of these infants perished from being left alone in the elements. If located, the individuals who abandoned these newborns were prosecuted and jailed for the offense. National Safe Haven Alliance What started it all www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

History National Safe Haven Alliance Ten years later, each state across the nation and the District of Columbia have laws addressing infant abandonment. A dedicated group of individuals gathered together to prevent this trend from continuing. In 1999, Texas enacted the first infant abandonment law. This law: A) protected individuals from prosecution if they safely relinquished an unharmed infant and B) designated locations where infants could be properly relinquished into the hands of a consenting adult. www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

What NSHA has done National Safe Haven Alliance Worked with all 50 states and the District of Columbia to successfully enact “Safe Haven” provisions across the nation Now works to educate the public about these laws so women learn the options available to them and their newborns. Created a nationwide hotline women in crisis can call to receive counseling and guidance. Established a network of state organizations which focus on educating citizens in each state on the specifics of the law. NSHA provides materials that can be adapted to each state. NSHA maintains a speakers’ bureau, expert training on building safe-haven programs, a listserv, the compilation of safe-haven statistics, state laws, and safe-haven organizations and programs, press briefings, media outreach, and a national website. www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

What are Infant Abandonment Laws? The term “Safe Haven” has become the most popular description of these laws. Laws go by a variety of names. Depending on the they might be called Infant abandonment laws safe haven laws safe surrender laws baby Moses laws Whatever the name, each law accomplishes the same goal - it allows parents to anonymously relinquish an unharmed infant at a designated location. Anonymity protects parents from being imprisoned for abandoning their infant. www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

The specifics of the laws vary from state to state www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org National Safe Haven Alliance The specifics of the laws vary from state to state Each state is different

Hospitals are designated as safe haven locations in every state www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org National Safe Haven Alliance Hospitals are designated as safe haven locations in every state One thing is the same

What NSHA is doing now National Safe Haven Alliance A key focus for the National Safe Haven Alliance is to ensure that women are able to clearly identify appropriate locations to relinquish their infants. www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

What we created To that end, NSHA has created a highway-quality sign to hang on the exterior of all safe-haven locations across the U.S. National Safe Haven Alliance

Baby steps National Safe Haven Alliance The National Safe Haven Alliance is working to have each major hospital across the U.S. designated with a Safe Haven sign by 2012. Ideally, each safe haven location across the U.S. will be identified by this sign. We’re beginning with the hospitals. www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

How will NSHA achieve its goal? National Safe Haven Alliance With your help and support. The National Safe Haven Alliance is completely privately funded. We seek no local, state or government grants. We rely heavily on volunteers to accomplish our mission. www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

National Exchange Club Safe Haven Alliance That’s where you come in www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

Project outline National Safe Haven Alliance NSHA created a project where Exchange clubs can elect to help us: Identify hospitals in their area Communicate with hospitals, asking if they will hang signs Help NSHA hang safe haven signs Hold a press conference announcing the new signs and partnership between NEC and NSHA www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

Selling points for this project National Safe Haven Alliance Exchange clubs spend no money - NSHA simply seeks the volunteer time NSHA even provides the first sign for each hospital free of charge NSHA provides all materials, including press kits NSHA is helping to promote the value of volunteering through National Exchange Clubs in its materials www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

In Summary… National Safe Haven Alliance The National Safe Haven Alliance seeks Exchange Club volunteers to help identify communicate with and promote hospitals as designated Safe Haven locations through its nationwide sign program. This is a no-cost, low-time investment, high return project for both of our groups. www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

Your next steps National Safe Haven Alliance Talk to your Exchange Club about adopting the National Safe Haven Alliance’s project for your group. Fill out the registration forms for your club. You can volunteer for NSHA on a club or individual basis. Learn more about Safe Haven laws in your area. You just might save a life. www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org

Tell a friend. Talk about it. You Might Save a Life. www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org National Safe Haven Alliance Tell a friend. Talk about it. You Might Save a Life. Thank you!