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	Secret Safe Place for Newborns For District Attorneys A Secret Safe Place For Newborns Location Procedures Newborns should be accepted with no requirement for the mother to answer questions. The mother should be assured anonymity and asked if she will provide information that could benefit the newborn's health now and in the future. Information about the infant or the mother should be disclosed on a "need to know" basis only. For example, medical information provided by the mother should be disclosed only to appropriate medical personnel and Department of Human Resources personnel. Requests for information about the newborn should be referred to the Department of Human Resources. The Department of Human Resources should be recognized as the guardian for the newborn. This organization takes responsibility for foster and adoption services; coordinating post-discharge medical care; communicating with police, District Attorney, other authorities and media, and filing necessary petitions with the Juvenile Court. A letter from the Department of Human Resources should be given to the mother when the infant is relinquished. The letter should inform the mother of her right to reconsider her decision and provide her with a confidential way to provide medical information. In Mobile County, a questionnaire is included that can help medical professionals and the Department of Human Resources provide the best possible care for the infant. The letter should also inform the mother of counseling, medical and other social services that may be available to her. <-- Previous | Next -->	Sample Hospital Protocol Any child brought to the hospital property and left with a staff member will be brought to the emergency department. The person bringing the infant to the facility will not be questioned. Personnel should record voluntary medical history that could enable better or emergency care of the infant. The mother will be given a pamphlet on A Secret Safe Place For Newborns Program promises, counseling services available, and her right to change her mind and the limitations on that right. The Emergency Room admissions clerk will give the infant a number or a name. A bracelet with the name or number will be put on the infant. The mother will be given a bracelet with the name or number. The Emergency Room physician will evaluate the infant. The pediatrician on call will be notified in order to admit the infant. Emergency Room staff will notify the nurse manager/supervisor that an infant has been left. The supervisor/nurse manager will notify the hospital social worker/case manager on call. The social worker will notify the Child Protective Services of the Department of Human Resources (Alabama's Social Services Agency). The infant will be admitted to the nursery for routine newborn care. If unwell, the infant will be admitted to the special care nursery or Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The infant will be discharged to the custody of the Department of Human Resources when the pediatrician deems appropriate. The infant will receive post-hospital care if requested by the Dept. of Human Resources.