1. Saving Babies National Safe Haven Alliance A partnership between the
National Safe Haven Alliance and the National Exchange Club

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

7. 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.

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

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

10. 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.

11. 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

13. 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
Ideally, each safe haven location across the U.S. will be identified by this sign.
We’re beginning with the hospitals.

14. 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.

15. National Exchange Club
Safe Haven Alliance
That’s where you come in

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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.

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