The next steps for a Safe Haven Baby Box in Greeneville have been approved after a presentation was given at the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.
The board heard from Madi Bakker and Lauren Bible, two natives of Greeneville and also adoptive mother‘s, who have gone the extra mile to prepare for Greeneville to be the second in East TN to have a Safe Haven Baby Box. Safe Haven is a nonprofit organization that gives birth mothers a second option, as well as their new born. It’s an option that provides a safe and secure place to surrender a baby, rather than options that could leave the baby in a much worse situation.
According to Bakker and Bible, a baby box is usually set up at a fire station. Once the door to the baby box is opened it immediately triggers an alarm to the fire department station, letting them know a baby is in it. It also triggers a ping to dispatch 911. The Safe Haven Baby Box is heated and cooled. The most time the babies are left is about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Safe Haven has a crisis hotline that is available 24/7, 365 days a year for women who are in a crisis. The hopes is that mothers will first call before surrendering the baby and hope that it would be the last resort. The organization also provides counseling. When a mother drops off a baby, a packet is automatically dropped to the floor, providing legal aid and information on adoption assistance, as well as information regarding counseling. Financial assistance can also provided.
Last year, 8 infants were dropped in a baby box with this year already having 4 dropped off up until April, in the state. Nationwide there were 125 surrenders. The first baby box in Tennessee is in Knoxville and recently opened in February. Many other counties are starting the process and Bakker and Bible say Greeneville has the potential to be the next one in East Tennessee. Funds for the project have already been funded by an anonymous donor and includes the maintenance per year. The only thing needed would be to move forward.
City Administrator Todd Smith was cautious and wanted to be clear that our fire departments all have to respond at once at times depending on situations, and there may not be someone at the station 24/7 to get the baby in a timely manner. He wanted to make sure that this wouldn’t create an issue, but Bakker explained that others can assist as back up including the police department and EMS. As Greene County 911 Dispatch would have also been alerted, this will help alleviate stress from the fire station if on a call.
Alderwoman Ginny Kidwell asked who would be responsible once a baby is surrendered. They responded the baby would be put into foster care and the Department of Children Services would be responsible. Alderman Scott Bullington thought this would be a great asset to the county and Alderwoman Kristin Girton thought it was a fantastic way to give back to the community. Alderman Tim Teague said he spoke with Fire Chief Alan Shipley and discussed the best location for the baby box would be Fire Department Station 3 on the bypass.
Alderman Bullington made a motion to move forward with the project, including a revision of the contract, and to get in touch with Greene County 911 Dispatch. Alderwoman Kidwell seconded. Once the next steps are complete and the Safe Haven Baby Box is approved, there would be a four week turn around according to Bakker.
