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	Secret Safe Place for Newborns For District Attorneys The Role Of The Department Of Human Resources The Department of Human Resources with the assistance of the District Attorney's Office should initiate an investigation to determine the status of the child as A Secret Safe Place For Newborn child and rule out kidnapping. During this process, the Department of Human Resources communicates with the District Attorney's Office and local law enforcement as necessary. Appropriate information - i.e.: the state of the infant's health - should be released to the media only by the Department of Human Resources or the District Attorney's Office and only following these agency's media guidelines. Discharge of the infant from the hospital is made to the Department of Human Resources and the department becomes responsible for transportation and care of the child. Foster placement and adoption are arranged. It is news when a newborn is brought to A Secret Safe Place For Newborns location. Announcement of this event helps to publicize the availability of the program to other mothers in crisis or friends who could advise them. However, the announcement of a newborn being brought to A Secret Safe Place for Newborns and the release of information about the event and the newborn must be handled carefully so that the mother's anonymity is not compromised. In Mobile County, Secret Safe Place For Newborns locations inform the Department of Human Resources and the District Attorney's Office when a newborn is received. The District Attorney's Office releases information to the media that is limited to the fact that the newborn was received and initial information about its health. Media inquires about the newborn are referred to the Department of Human Resources media office. <-- Previous | Next -->	Letter/Questionnaire to Mother From Department Of Human Resources Date Dear Concerned Mother: By placing your baby safely at this hospital, you have taken the first step to making sure that your baby is safe and secure. In making this decision, you were acknowledging your crisis and your inability to provide the care necessary for you child for whatever reason. If, after taking this step, you feel it was not the right choice, you have the opportunity to contact us at the Department of Human Resources within 30 days to reconsider your decision. You may contact Hank Jordan, assistant director for child welfare (450-9150), Angela Tanveer, foster care division manager (450-9125) or Erin Wheeler, Mobile County Department of Human Resources director (415-3508). Identify yourself as the mother of the baby, the hospital and the date the baby was left. Your situation will be assessed with you and the necessary steps towards possible reunification will be considered. If we have not heard from you within 30 days, the Department of Human Resources will begin the legal process through the court for your child to have a permanent home with adoptive parents. If you continue to believe that adoption is the best plan for your child, you can help us in planning for your child's future by providing background and medical information. This is best done in person and a confidential appointment can be arranged by you calling one of us. If you are not willing to have personal contact with us, we ask that you provide the information on the enclosed form and return it to us in the stamped self-addressed envelope. We appreciate your time and the opportunity to join you in securing a safe place for your newborn, and the best possible future. If we can assist you in any other way, please call us.   Sincerely, Erin Wheeler Director   Enclosed form: Medical history questionnaire/return envelope Counseling, Medical, and Financial assistance available in your area
	Department of Human Resources Protocol for A Secret Safe Place For Newborn Babies*   1. The mother delivers the child to the hospital emergency room. The mother is given a packet of information by emergency room staff (each hospital has packets and should notify their contact at the Department Human Resources if more are needed). 2. The hospital calls the Department of Human Resources intake office during the day or After Hours Child Protection Services (CPS) worker in the evening to inform the agency that a baby has been dropped off and the condition of the baby. 3. If the baby is dropped off after work hours, CPS will contact the on-call supervisor and then proceed to the hospital to see the infant and assess the immediate situation. The supervisor will contact Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson, Jr. and CPS Division Manager Beth Nelson. Ms. Nelson will contact Foster Care Division Manager Angela Tanveer. If the hospital discharges the baby that night, the CPS worker will place the baby in an emergency foster home for safe keeping. The CPS after hours worker will notify intake by 8:30 AM of the next business day. 4. If the baby is dropped off during working hours, the hospital will call the Mobile County Department of Human Resources Intake Line. Intake will notify Ms. Nelson, who will notify the District Attorney, Assistant Director of Child Welfare Hank Jordan and Ms. Tanveer. Intake will complete A Secret Safe Place For Newborns Referral form and hand-deliver it to Ms. Nelson. Ms. Nelson will deliver the form to Ms. Tanveer who will assign it to the adoption unit. Adoption Supervisor Catherine Teal will assign an adoption worker to immediately go to the hospital to and assess the situation. 5. The adoption worker will file the petition for custody on the same day as s/he receives the case. The adoption worker will initiate a search for an appropriate legal risk placement within the state and local resources. If the call comes during business hours and the child can be released, the adoption worker will place the child in either an emergency foster home or approved legal risk adoptive placement. If the child cannot be released, the adoption worker will still file the petition and find placement once the hospital clears the child for release. If the child cannot be released, it is imperative that the adoption worker obtain temporary custody immediately so the hospital may be given permission to provide medical treatment. 6. The adoption worker will file for permanent custody or Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) at the Merit Hearing (approximately 30 days after obtaining temporary custody). 7. The judge will set a TPR hearing (approximately 60 days). 8. Juvenile Court will advertise the TPR proceedings in the Legal Notice Section of the Mobile Register for four consecutive weeks. 9. There is a 30-day waiting period after the advertising time period for the parents/interested parties to respond to the legal notice. 10. If no response is received from the advertisement, a TPR hearing is held. 11. A formal permanent custody order is issued by Juvenile Court (at least one month from TPR hearing). 12. Adoption process begins after Dept. of Human Resources secures permanent custody.   *Note: This protocol covers the procedure for A Secret Safe Place For Newborns. If during the initial assessment, it is determined that the baby was abused, neglected and therefore is not a Secret Safe Place For Newborns baby, the adoption worker will not complete the protocol. The adoption worker will write up a child abuse/neglect form and the case will be forwarded to CPS and the District Attorney's Office for further investigation.