The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | July / August 2021
September is “ Safe Haven Awareness Month ”
By Christine Norbut Beyer , MSW , Commissioner , New Jersey Department of Children and Families
Last year , Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation marking September as Safe Haven Awareness Month in New Jersey . It is an opportunity to increase awareness among system partners , stakeholders , friends , family , and the general public about the New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act , also referred to as the Safe Haven Law .
The Safe Haven Law , which was enacted in August 2000 , allows a parent or designee to safely and anonymously surrender an unharmed newborn to staff at any one of the state ’ s legally designated Safe Haven sites .
As one of our most valued partners in child welfare , law enforcement plays an integral role in helping to ensure the safety of infants , children and youth , every day .
It is thanks to your partnership , that the Safe Haven Law has saved nearly 80 infants ’ lives over the past 21 years .
During Safe Haven Awareness Month , and every month throughout the year , NJ DCF thanks you for all you do to help keep our youngest New Jersey residents , safe and healthy .
For more information and resources that support Safe Haven , feel free to visit our website at the following links :
· New Jersey Safe Haven : https :// www . nj . gov / njsafehaven / ( general resources )
· NJ DCF Publications : https :// www . nj . gov / dcf / news / publications / safehaven . html ( Safe Haven brochures , medical questionnaires and posters , available in both English and Spanish )
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