Safe Haven Task Force Highlights
o

Patricia Kelsaw, MSW consultant for Safe Haven Task Force(SHTF) was identified and met

with ad-hoc planning committee (Sandra Nathan, Ashlee Ob,Sandra Trafalis, Frank Motta,
and Dolores Alvarado)in late August. Consultants role/respotisibilities, timelines and
deliverables were identified.
o

o

Consultant developed templates for subcommittees to use for information gathering and
facilitate meeting process,
SHTF facilitators and recorders met for a pre-meeting to discuss roles, responsibilities,

timelines and outcomes prior to initial full SHTF meeting on September 16,2004
o

September 16^*’ SHTF meeting addressed:
• BackgroundofSafeSurrenderBabyOaws, data, LA County experience)
• SHTF charge, deliverables of each subcommittee
• Selection of a chairperson for each subcommittee

• Identify two subcommittee meeting dates prior to October 13^^ full SHTF meeting for
o

o

o

o

development of preliminary recommendations
Consultant maintained frequent and on-going communication with facilitators, recorders and
chairpersons to identify/address potential barriers to meeting SHTF charge and timelines
Subcommittees met(two meetings scheduled per subcommittee),identified additional
stakeholders and information necessary to formulate preliminary recommendations;

submitted preliminary recommendations to consultant for development of full SHTF meeting
Consultant developed templates for subcommittees to use for information gathering and
facilitate meeting process for refinement of recommendations.
SHTF chairpersons, facilitators and recorders met for a pre-meeting to discuss timelines and

outcomes prior to initial full SHTF meeting on October 13'^

o

October IS"" SHTF meeting addressed:
• Preliminary recommendations: goals,common themes, strengths and obstacles to
developing recommendations, and next steps for refinement of subcommittees’
recommendations

• Chairpersons of each subcommittee provided report backs of their current work
• Next steps in developing and finalizing recommendations: To identify and refine

recommendations in two areas- recommendations to improve/enhance current SSB

practices and recommendations that will require additional resources (staffing,
funding etc,)
o

o

Consultant maintained frequent and on-going communication with facilitators, recorders and
chairpersons to identify/address potential bairiers to meeting SHTF charge, timelines and
mechanism for gaining consensus for final recommendations
Subcommittees met(1-2 meetings per subcommittee) to finalize recommendations;
submitted recommendations to consultant for development of full SHTF meeting on
November 3,2004

o

Consultant reviewed and synthesized subcommittees’ recommendations, addressing common
themes and duplication of efforts

o

Consultant presented recommendations at November 3*^ SHTF meeting; input from meeting
participants was discussed and revisions to recommendations are provided in the following

2

V

pages. Revisions to original recommendations are in italics and underlined for clarity.

Consultant’s suggestions, additional information and comments are highlighted in italics.

3

Recommendations to Enhance/Improve

Policy and Legislation Subcommittee:
Overarching principle for Safe Haven Task Force:
Protection of the infant’s life needs to be emphasized as the most important element of safe
surrender law/policy.
Recommendation:

This statement should be the overarching goal of all Safe Surrender work.
Problem:

Assess need for expansion of Safe Haven sites to improve accessibility for parent or legally
responsible individuals who desire to relinquish an infant
Recommendation:

Community clinics are trusted, culturally sensitive and conveniently located health care
providers HOWEVER they are not staffed 24/7, therefore;
o
o

Emphasize community chnics play a prominent role in the safe surrender education process
Ask community clinics to develop protocols and staff training in case a surrender occurs
there.

Discussion/Issue raised at SHTF meeting Nov. 3, 2004:
By consensus, the Policy and Legislation(P&L)subcommittee did not recommend community
clinicsfor inclusion as a designated Safe Haven site since they are not open 24 hours. It was
mentioned that the County’s districtfire station in South County is a designated Safe Haven site
and is not operated 24 hours. A sign is posted during non-operating hoursfor instructions on
what to do in case ofsurrender.
As a compromise, it was suggested looking at having two types ofsites, those designated as
primary(open 24 hours) and auxiliary (facilities not open 24 hours)and to develop a protocol
for auxiliary sites.
Possible resolution/compromisefrom consultant:
To maintain the integrity of this process and consensus from the subcommittee, P&L’s
recommendation not to designate community clinics should remain. However, the

recommendation could include a provision to assess the need/feasibility to have auxiliary
facilities designated as SH sites. There might be additional sites where this “auxiliary”
designation could take place i.e. places of worship.
Problem:

The Good Samaritan Immunity(SB 1413)is not well known or understood. Good Samaritan
Law says: “Person who in good faith, provides assistance in safe surrendering an infant shall not
be civilly liable...”

4

Recommendation:

The Good Satnaritan law does not need to be revised or expanded; rather, that this element of

the law needed better vuhlic education. Any public information camvaisn should include
information on Good Samaritan immunity and stress that ifan individual inadvertently becomes
a Good Samaritan(Le. a bus driver is handed a baby)they must accompany the surrendering
party to the safe surrender site.

Problem:

The current Safe Surrender Baby legislation sunsets in 2006.
Recommendation:
The County ofSanta Clara sponsor lesislation to extend the sunset ofSafe Surrender Baby Law,
either takine the lead on sponsorshiv or working in vartnershiv with other counties to sponsor a
bill.

Health and Human Services Subcommittee:
Problem;

Santa Clara County has minimal experience in responding to and addressing the Safe Surrender
Baby Law across all departments. In light of recent changes in the law regarding SSB, Sarita
Clara County is in need of current up-to-date information and protocols using “best practice”
models from other counties and states. Also, the County does not have a standard process in
place for how to respond to a SSB.There is a need for appropriate training due to lack of
differentiation between relinquishment, abandoned babies, and SSB.
Recommendation #1:

Develop a process for reclaiming a child within the guidelines set forth by CDSS and SSB Law
(Taking lead responsibility for this recommendation: SSA,County Counsel, District Attorney)
Recommendationfrom Policy and Legislation:
On a local level, the process/protocol should:
o Make safe surrender process easy, accessible, sensitive to mother or surrendering party.
o Emphasize surrendering party's confidentiality,
o Strengthen mechanisms in place to involve Child Protective Services(CPS)
o Include information on parental reunification process
o Provide information and resources on medical and mental health services.
Recommendation #2;

o Convene all hospitals in SCC to review/share information on policies and procedures;
develop/revise and update as needed
o Identify ways to gather parent medical history
(Taking lead responsibility for this recommendation: Valley Medical Center)

Recommendationfrom Policy and Legislation:
With regard to the medical questionnaire:

5

o Mother should he encouraged to complete medical questionnaire. However, her.anonymity
should be respected.
o Provide packet to complete the questionnaire and mail it to the hospital anonymously in a
postage-paid envelope.
Recommendation #3;

o Develop a flow chart of SSB process for all affected county agencies
o Convene an interdepartmental committee to case coordinate around the issues of SSB and
abandoned babies (Taking lead responsibility for this recommendation: Social Services
Agency). This recommendation was addressed as part ofP&Vs recommendations requiring
additional resources. However, it was determined an interdepartmental committee could be
replicated by using the county’s current Death Review model.
Recommendation #4:

o Conduct a SSB drill at VMC involving all necessary key players
o Have a debriefing after the drill to share information with other hospitals and key players
(Taking lead responsibility for this recommendation: Valley Medical Center)
Public Safety Subcommittee:
Problem:

Fire departments do not have a uniform Safe Haven protocol currently in place.
No standard Safe Haven protocol for Fire Departments in Santa Clara County jurisdictions. An
analysis of the implementation of Safe Haven Law in Santa Clara County reveals that:
Not all jurisdictions have Safe Haven Resolutions passed, designating Fire Departments as Safe
Surrender Baby sites.
Recommendation #1:

o All jurisdictions pass Safe Haven resolutions. Board of Supervisors follows up to ensure
suggested to:
adoption of Safe Haven resolutions. At the meeting, it
o Provide jurisdictions that do not have resolutions currently in place with “sample” packets
ofother cities approved Safe Haven resolutions.
Recommendation #2:

Fire Departments establish a Safe Haven protocol adapted from LA County’s procedures and a
newborn safe surrender kit (Taking lead responsibility for this recommendation: All SCC
jurisdictions)
Recommendation #3;

o Allow fire departments to respond to 911 calls as an option for surrendering a newborn note:
service should not be advertised (All SCC jurisdictions)

o Inform CPS, hospitals and law enforcement,of the first responders protocol (Taking lead
responsibility for this recommendation: Capt. Angus- Sheriffs Office was identified to act as
a liaison to law enforcement; County Safe Haven coordinator (see additional resources)

6

Media,Education and Outreach Subcommittee;
Problem:

Through media, education and outreach,eliminate the abandonment of unwanted infants and
promote their safe surrender.
Recommendation #1:

o Continue disseminating existing materials developed by the State on an interim basis
o Use State’s $1 million investment in the SSB Public Awareness campaign
Recommendation #2:

Build on State’s $1 million investment in SSB Public Awareness campaign by developing
targeted, multilingual, culturally sensitive collateral (materials)
Recommendation #3:

o Assemble Training Team to train and educate those distributing SSB Law information,
o Establish partnerships to advance campaign

Recommendations Requiring Additional Resources

Policy and Legislation Subcommittee:
Problem:

Safe Surrender Baby designated sites in Santa Clara County do not have a uniform protocol for
the safe surrender of an infant.
Recommendation;

o Obtain technical assistance to develop protocols {It was suggested that the Hospital Council
and the county-wide perinatal social workers group take lead responsibility)
o Train personnel and staff likely to receive an infant
o Investigate whether phones can be placed outside fire stations if out on a call (exists at some
fire stations),

o Determine if a special room/area at the hospital can be clearly marked by SSB logos for
surrender to occur.

Public Safety Subcommittee:
Problem;

No consistent signage and first responders’ kits.
Recommendation:

o Provide “Newborn Safe Surrender Kit” and signs to all jurisdictions,
o Identify/hire a County Safe Haven coordinator

o Provide training videos to all jurisdictions.(Taking lead responsibility for this
recommendation: County Safe Haven coordinator)

7

I

o Each jurisdiction conducts departmental Safe Haven training, utilizing County-provided kits,
signs, and videos. (Taking lead responsibility for this recommendation: All SCC
jurisdictions)
Health and Human Services Subcommittee:
Problem;

There is minimum data and information that exists pertaining to this population’s characteristics.
Recommendation;

To include in legislation extendins or liftins the sunset on the SSB Law, fundins to a university

for the study ofthe state-wide data on veovle who abandon, surrender, or relinquish their

children in order to provide information on the demosraphics. risk factors, and effective
intervention methods.(Taking lead responsibility for this recommendation: Public Health)
Media, Education and Outreach Subcommittee:
Problem:

Through media, education and outreach, eliminate the abandonment of unwanted infants and
promote their safe surrender.
Recommendation #1:

o Retain a public relations agency to develop a culturally sensitive media campaign
o Work with PR agency to develop and implement a public awareness campaign for SSB Law
Recommendation #2;

o Create standard logo/images/name to be used in the Campaign and at SSB sites
Recommendation #3:

o Create a Steering Committee to oversee the development of public awareness campaign
(Taking lead responsibility for this recommendation: community organizations and County
staff)
o Create a Fundins Committee to explore and secure funding for information campaign.

8

I

APPENDIX A

MEDIA OUTREACH/PUBLIC RELATIONS

The following are different media vehicles to disseminating information to a mass audience.
1.

Broadcast
a.

Radio

b.

Television

c.

PSAs (Public Service Announcements)

d.

Talk shows

2.

Print Media: including placements in local daily and weekly publications targeting
various ethnic and cultural populations.
a.
Advertisements(pro-bono)
b.

Articles and Editorials

c.

Billboards (Clear Channel offered to donate space)

d.

Bulletin Boards

i. Businesses (including Shopping Bags-inserts/printed bags)
-Corporations and Small Business Owners
ii. Communities
iii. Restaurants

iv. Public Transportation
Types of Collateral Materials;(with the distinguishable Safely Surrendered Baby

3.

Lo^ol
a.

Flyers

b.

Brochures

c.

Posters

d.

Newsletters

e.

Paycheck stuffers

f.

Wallet Cards

g-

Printed Grocery Bags

h.

Press Releases

i.

Direct Mail

Jk.

Eiiosks
Movie Theater Slides

1.

Bumper stickers/Stickers

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH;
4.
a.

b.
c.

d.
e.

Schools
Middle Schools

High Schools
After School Programs
Student Advocacy Programs
Colleges

9

I

!

f.

Adult Education Sites

g-

In-Service Training for Teachers

5.

Healthcare Organization and Providers
a.

Health clinics
i. Medical Service Providers

ii. Mental Health/Counseling Providers
iii. Dentists
b.
c.

6.

Hospitals
Public Health Programs
Relidous and Faith-based Organizations

a.

Churches, Temples, Mosques

b.

Faith-based:

i. Peninsula Interfaith Action

ii. PACT(People Acting in Partnership Together)
iii. Sacred Heart Community Service (undocumented workers)
iv. Catholic Charities
7.

Non-Profit Organizations and Public Agencies
a.

County programs

b.

Libraries

c.

Teen and Youth Outreach (including the male centered programs-Fratemal
Organizations)
Neighborhood and Community Advocacy Groups (Community Leaders Training

d.

f.

Organizations)
Shelters (i.e. Youth, homeless, and Battered Women)
Parenting Classes (mandated/volunteer)

8'

Crisis Centers/Hotlines

e.

8.

Correctional/Rehabilitative Institutions
Juvenile Hall
b.
Jail
a.

c.

Rehab programs (i.e. Substance abuse programs)

10

Appendix B

Background Information
SSB Task Force: Media, Education and Outreach Committee
Public Information Campaign

Problem/Objective
The Safely Surrendered Baby Law is not widely known. As a consequence, unwanted babies
have been abandoned in Santa Clara County. The objective of the Media, Education and
Outreach Subcommittee is identify strategies and tactics to broadly disseminate information
about the Safely Surrendered Baby Law and thereby eliminate the incidents of abandoned
babies in Santa Clara County.
Target Audiences
There is general consensus that the target audience will be women of childbearing age and
their primary support networks, significant others, partners,family members and service
providers. The audience is diverse in terms of ethnicity and socio-economic status. However,
special effort must be taken to ensure that efforts are multicultural and multi-linguistic in
nature, and that our outreach includes the disenfranchised (unemployed and homeless
families). Discreet segments of target audiences include;
A. Jr. High Students
B, High School age
C. College Students
D. Post adolescent women

E. Boys and Young Men
F. Their Families
III.

Recommendations

The Media,Education and Outreach Subcommittee has identified several recommendations

for consideration by the Board of Supervisors:
A. Use existing materials developed by the state on an interim basis to blanket the
community with information about the Safely Surrendered Baby Law.
B, Build on the state’s $1 million investment in the Safely Surrendered Baby Public
Awareness campaign - collateral material,Safeway grocery bag promotion

(November & January), college newspaper ads (fall),Safe Surrender Site signs.
C. Identify funds to support the creation of targeted and culturally sensitive public
information materials.

D. Create multi-lingual, multi-cultural, age/literacy appropriate public awareness
materials.

E, Establish partnerships with community-based organizations,corporations, media
outlets, public relations and advertising agencies to support the public education
campaign.

F. Implement a multi-tiered strategy to reach primary and secondary target audiences.
G. Train peer-to-peer representatives to disseminate information to target audience
segments(farm workers,students, recent arrivals, males,disenfranchised, etc.).
These recommendations would be implemented by using the following tactics:
Dissemination Points/Outlets

11

There are a wide variety of opportunities to gain entree into worlds of our target audiences, in
order to deliver the Safe Surrender Program message. Organizations and points of contact have
been identified as:
Schools

1.

a.

Middle Schools

b. High Schools
c. Colleges
d.

Adult Education Sites

e. After School Programs

f. Student Advocacy Programs(Andrew Hill, others)
g. In-service training for teachers
2.

Healthcare Organizations and Providers (especially making materials available in waiting rooms)
a.

Health clinics and Providers

i. Medical service providers
ii. Dentists

iii. Mental Health providers
b. Hospitals
c. Public Health Programs
d. Counseling Centers
i. Parenting Groups
ii. Healthy Ventures (Mountain View)
3. Religious and Faith-based Organizations
a. Churches, Temples, Mosques
b. Faith-based:

i. Peninsula Interfaith Action

ii. PACT(People Acting in Partnership together)
iii. Sacred Heart Community Service(undocumented workers)
4.

iv. Catholic Charities
General Public
a.

b.
c.

Sports Programs
Social and Recreation-based Organizations
Neighborhood and Community Advocacy Groups

i. Challenge Team (School, police, youth service agency reps.)
ii. Community Actions Team(CAT - Mountain View)
iii. Community Ambassadors(Palo Alto)
d. Community Leaders Training Organizations
e.
Civic Organizations
i. Fraternal Organizations(Rotary, etc.)
ii. Social Service Clubs (Junior League, etc).
f. Promotores and other peer education groups
g-

Youth Organizations:
i. County Youth Task Force
ii. Girls for a Change
iii. SJSU students

5.

Public
a.

b.
c.

Agencies (flyers, posters, other materials in waiting areas and lobbies)
County Programs(such as WIC program)
Group Homes

Youth Agencies

d. Libraries
e.

Support Groups and Centers, especially:
12

I

i. Battered Women and Domestic Violence Agencies
ii. Bill Wilson

f. Job Training Centers
i. CET

ii. CCOC

iii. Job Corps
g. Correctional institutions
i. Jails
ii. Juvenile Hall

6. Non-Profit Organizations
a.

Shelters

b. Large agencies, such as:
i. Planned Parenthood

ii. Billy De Frank Center
iii. YMCA
c.

d. Rape Crisis Centers/Hotlines
e.

Crisis Centers:

i. County Suicide and Crisis Hotlines
ii. CONTACT Crisis Hotline
7.

Businesses

a. Retail Stores (Bulletin Boards, Posters)
i.

Music

ii. Clothing
iii. Liquor
iv. Convenience stores
V, Malls

vi. Shopping Centers
vii. Thrift Stores
viii. Pharmacies

b. Grocery stores
i. Bulletin Boards

ii. Shopping Bags(inserts or printed bags)
c.

Laundromats

d. Flea Markets

e. Restaurants/Night Clubs/Concert Venues
1. Posters in bathrooms/stalls

f.

Pool Halls, Video Arcades
g. Hair and Nail Salons

h. Coffee houses
i. Motels/hotels

j. Nursing homes
k. Employers(paycheck staffers):
i. Corporations
ii, Small businesses owners
8. Public Transit
a.

Buses

b. Bus Stops

c. Light Rail
d. Transit stations

13

Communications Vehicles

IV.

There are many methods to carry out communications messages to our target
audiences,including grass roots outreach, mass media, advertising, public
relations, mailings, written handouts, word of mouth,events, etc. Some specific
suggestions include:

COMMUNITY RELATIONS: Traditional Outreach

Disseminate information using traditional word of mouth and direct contact with the public. Use
volunteers to:
1.

Make Presentations at Events and Meetings
a. Community Gatherings
b. School-based Events and Assemblies
c.

PTAs

d. Churches (bulletins and newsletters)
e. Camps
2.

Have a Presence (booths) at:

a. Special Events
b. Festivals
c.

Fairs

Set up Hotlines(develop multilingual Hotline for county)

3.

Set up speaker’s bureau and spokesperson training program, so interested groups can call

4.

on a number of volunteer “experts” to make presentations to them.

Stage “challenges” to school and youth to create campaign posters (Create partnerships
to get this program sponsored by businesses and organizations)

5.

ADVERTISING / PUBLIC RELATIONS

The following are materials/ and traditional media channels used for disseminating information to a
mass audience.
1.

Collateral Materials(Handouts)
a. Flyers
b. Brochures
c.

Posters

d. Handouts & Giveaways
e.

Newsletters

f. Paycheck stuffers
g. Wallet Cards
h. Printed Grocery Bags
i.

Press Releases

j.

Direct Mail

k.

Kiosks

1.

Movie theater slides

m. Videos

n. Scrip for use by volunteers, clinics, hotline, etc.
0. Stickers (to localize materials, including phone number)

14

2.

Media - Broadcast and Print(Including minority and ethnic media, high school and college
radio stations and newspapers);
a.

Radio

i. Public Service Announcement Ads(PSA’s)

1. College Newspaper ads already in process
ii. Talk Shows

iii. Promotional events (handouts)
b.

Television

i. PSA’s(ads)
ii. Talk Shows
iii. Public Access TV
c.

Print Media; Obtain placements in local daily and weekly publications, especially ethnic
and school

i. Advertisements (pro bono)
ii. Notices(community bulletin boards and alerts)
iii. Articles and editorials
d.

Public Advertising Spaces (getting donated space)
i. Billboards(media space already donated by Clear Channel)
ii. Bus Cards (inside/outside public transportation vehicles)
iii. Transit Shelter Posters

iv. Taxi toppers

15