Safe Place for Newborns is a non-profit organization supported by the Ascension Wisconsin Foundation that provides education and awareness about the Safe Haven Law in Wisconsin. The purpose and mission of Safe Place for Newborns is to save the lives of newborn babies in danger of abandonment and to help preserve the health and future of their mothers.
Ascension St. Joseph in Milwaukee has been the headquarters for Safe Place for Newborns since 2010, after a significant number of women in crisis turned to this trusted hospital to safely deliver and relinquish their infants. Safe Place for Newborns encourages mothers to deliver in a hospital to ensure both mom and baby receive necessary medical treatment.
The need for Safe Place for Newborns stems from the 2001 Wisconsin Safe Haven Law, which allows any parent to safely surrender their unharmed newborn—up to 72 hours old—to any EMT, hospital employee, or at any fire or police station, with no questions asked. Since Wisconsin passed the Safe Haven Law, 386 infants have been safely relinquished as of 2023.
“The intent of the Safe Haven Law and Safe Place for Newborns is to protect and save lives,” explains Tricia Burkett, Safe Place for Newborns state coordinator. “We know this is an incredibly difficult time for these women in crisis, and we’re here to let them know and reassure them: their babies will be safely cared for, and they will not be asked any questions or punished in any way.”
All Safe Haven infants are kept safe at the hospital until medically stable and then released directly to their pre-adoptive home. These babies do not move through multiple foster homes. They are placed with a family pre-approved for adoption and monitored by a child welfare agency that evaluates the child’s well-being until the adoption is finalized.
“Safe Place for Newborns has evolved in so many ways over the past 15 years as we continue to learn what is needed by mothers, fire, police, and hospital staff, and the community,” Burkett added. “One thing I am really proud of is how we have worked to remove the stigma around this option and support mothers in their choice, as we continue to develop a more supportive and caring network for mothers in crisis.”
Safe Place for Newborns provides education to community agencies, hospitals, fire and police stations, as well as support to mothers in crisis across Wisconsin. All education and resources from the program are free of charge and include online options. Additional support for pregnant women during crises is offered through the Safe Place for Newborns 24/7 crisis line at 1-877-440-BABY (2229). For those who may be pregnant and confused or frightened about what to do with their baby—or know someone who is pregnant and in crisis—there are people who can help. Additional information and resources can be found at safeplacefornewborns.org.
Safe Place for Newborns is made possible through support from the Ascension Wisconsin Foundation, donors, and grant funding. If you would like to support this life-saving program, you can donate here and select Safe Place for Newborns.
