Tennessee Safe Haven Law Education Curriculum

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Tennessee Safe Haven LawEducation Curriculum

• A Secret Safe Place for Newborns
• of Tennessee

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Outline

• Teacher Information
• History
• Key Points of the Safe Haven Law
• FAQs
• Sample Discussion Questions
• Post Lesson Survey

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Teacher Information

• A Secret Safe Place for Newborns of Tennessee
  works to educate young women about a safe and
  legal alternative to infant abandonment through
  our states Safe Haven Law.
• The law allows the anonymous surrender of
  unharmed newborns up to 72 hours old to any
  hospital, birthing center, community health
  clinic (health department), or walk-in clinic
  without fear of prosecution. The mother does not
  have to answer questions or give information
  about herself.

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Teacher Information cont.

• This legislation provides a life saving
  option for scared and desperate young women who
  may be concealing their pregnancies and are at
  risk of abandoning their babies in unsafe
  locations.
• We hope that any young woman faced with an
  unintended and crisis pregnancy will seek medical
  care and assistance early and regularly.
  However, all young women should be aware of the
  Safe Haven Law in the event they do not seek
  help.

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Teacher Information cont.

• We sincerely appreciate your support in
  distributing this information and educating your
  students. This curriculum is appropriate for
  middle school, high school, and college age
  students. Brochures and posters may be
  downloaded from our website (www.secretsafeplacetn
  .org) or requested from our office.
• With your help, we can prevent the tragedy of
  newborn abandonment and help save young women
  from making life devastating decisions. If you
  have further questions, please contact our office
  at 865-254-2208.

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History of the Safe Haven Law

• In October 2000, a newborn baby girl was
  abandoned in a shed by her 14 year-old mother in
  Townsend, Tennessee.
• The baby died of severe dehydration and the
  mother was charged with first-degree murder and
  sentenced to state custody.

• As a result of this tragedy, Blount County
  community members successfully advocated our
  legislature to pass a Safe Haven Law.
• The law was enacted on
• July 1, 2001. The legislation provides a
  safe and legal measure for a young woman to
  anonymously give up her newborn.

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Key Points of the Safe Haven Law

• Date Enacted July 1, 2001
• Age of Child Unharmed newborn of 72 hours (3
  days) of age or less
• Safe Haven Locations
• Hospitals
• 
  Birthing Centers
• 
  Community Health Clinics (Health
  Departments)
• Outpatient, Walk-In Clinics

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Key Points cont.

• Prosecution Mother will not be prosecuted
  provided she acts in full compliance of the law.
• Anonymity Mother retains anonymity. She may be
  asked questions regarding medical history and
  identity but she is not required to answer.
• Termination of Parental Rights No less than 90
  days.
• Other Mother must surrender baby herself. Must
  be given to a Health Care Worker or employee of
  the facility.

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Additional Information

• After the mother leaves, the baby will be
  examined and admitted to the hospital.
• After a hospital stay, the baby is released into
  the custody of the Department of Childrens
  Services (DCS.) The babys adoption is handled
  by DCS.
• If the mother wishes to reclaim the baby, she
  needs to contact her local DCS office within 30
  days.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Tennessee Safe Haven Law?
• It is a law that allows a mother to give up her
  newborn baby confidentially and without being
  prosecuted for abandonment.
• How does the law work?
• Any mother who feels she cannot or will not care
  for her newborn baby can bring the baby (3 days
  old or younger) to any hospital, birthing center,
  community health clinic (health department), or
  walk-in clinic and hand her baby to a health care
  worker or employee. The mother does not have to
  give her name or any other information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What happens to the baby?
• The baby will be given any needed medical
  treatment and admitted to the hospital. After a
  hospital stay, the Department of Childrens
  Services takes custody and finds an adoptive
  family.
• Will the mother be reported to police or her
  parents?
• No. As long as the baby is unharmed, 3 days old
  or less, and brought to a designated facility,
  the mother will not be reported.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What if the mother is a minor?
• Any female can give up her unwanted baby
  under the law no matter how old she is. The
  process is safe, legal and confidential. If she
  is a minor, her parents will not be contacted.
• Will the mother have to give information or
  her name?
• The Health Care Worker might ask for information
  but the mother is not required to answer any
  questions. The mother can give information such
  as medical history. Any information will be
  given only to DCS and the adoptive family and the
  mothers confidentially will still be protected.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Can someone other than the mother bring the baby
  to a Safe Haven location?
• No, the mother must bring the baby in herself.
  She can have someone with her but she must be
  present.
• Can a mother keep her baby or give the baby
  up for adoption?
• Yes! A mother can keep her baby or go through
  the adoption process. The Safe Haven Law is an
  option for someone who feels she has no other
  choice except to hide her baby. It is a safe and
  legal alternative to abandoning the baby in an
  unsafe place in order to keep the pregnancy and
  birth a secret.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What if the mother changes her mind and wants her
  baby back?
• If the mother changes her mind, she should call
  her local Department of Childrens Services
  office. She can also call the Secret Safe Place
  for Newborns Helpline at 1-866-699-SAFE for more
  information. The mother needs to make contact
  with DCS within 30 days or she may lose her
  rights to her baby.
• What if I have other questions about the Safe
  Haven Law?
• Call the Secret Safe Place for Newborns Helpline
  at 1-866-699-SAFE. All calls are completely
  anonymous and confidential. There is no caller
  ID system and calls are not recorded. Callers
  are not asked their names. You may also receive
  more information at the website
  www.secretsafeplacetn.org.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is A Secret Safe Place for Newborns of
  Tennessee?
• It is an organization that educates young women
  and raises public awareness about the Safe Haven
  Law in order to prevent newborn abandonment.
• It also operates a 24-Hour Helpline that
  anyone with questions about the Safe Haven Law or
  Safe Haven locations can call. The number is
  1-866-699-SAFE. All calls are completely
  confidential.
• The website is www.secretsafeplacetn.org.

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Sample Discussion Questions

• Why do you think a mother might unsafely abandon
  her baby?
• Do you think the Safe Haven Law could help a
  mother considering abandoning her baby? How?
• What are good ways to educate young people about
  the Safe Haven Law?
• Are you willing to tell other people your age
  about the law?

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How Students Can Help

• Tell one or more people your age about the Safe
  Haven Law.
• Request posters to hang in your community where
  people your age will see them.
• E-mail the website to your friends
  www.secretsafeplacetn.org.
• Check out myspace www.myspace.com/safeplacenewbor
  nstn and add it to your friends list.
• Be a friend to anyone in a crisis pregnancy
  situation and encourage her to talk to an adult.

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Post Lesson Survey

• If possible, please have students complete the
  survey and return to our office at
• 1133 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway
• Maryville, TN 37804.
• Students do not need to put their names on the
  survey.
• Please include the name of your school with
  the surveys.

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A Secret Safe Place for Newborns of
Tennessee Student Presentation Evaluation   You
are White (Caucasian) Black (African American)
Hispanic Asian Other   You are Girl Boy   Your
age ______ years old   1. Would the Safe Haven
Law encourage you to choose a safe surrender of
your baby instead of abandoning or leaving
the baby in an unsafe place?   Yes No   2.
Would you advise a pregnant friend to call the
Helpline or surrender her baby to a safe haven
location rather than abandon the
baby?   Yes No 3. Did you know it is very
important for a pregnant person to get health
care during the pregnancy for the safety
of the mother and the baby?   Yes No   4. Did
you know about the Safe Haven Law before this
presentation?   Yes No 5. In your opinion,
what is the best way for teens and young people
to learn about the Safe Haven Law?   a.      a.
Television b. Radio c. Billboards
d. Posters and brochures in the schools   e.
Internet f. Guest Speakers g. Other
__________________________________________