The Safe Haven Law in Iowa has once again provided a lifeline for infants, with two recent cases highlighting its continued impact. A baby girl, born on May 15, and a baby boy, born on May 26, have both been safely entrusted to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). They will remain in foster care until a permanent home is found, marking the 70th instance of the law’s utilization since its inception over 20 years ago.
The Safe Haven Act in Iowa offers a critical option for parents facing crisis, allowing them to surrender custody of infants up to 90 days old at designated safe locations such as hospitals and fire stations. Upon relinquishment, HHS takes responsibility for placing these infants into approved foster homes while pursuing permanent adoption solutions. This year alone has already seen three such cases, following ten instances in 2023 where infants were relinquished under the act.
For those interested in making a meaningful difference as a foster or adoptive parent, further information and resources are available at https://iowafosterandadoption.org/. To learn more about Iowa’s Safe Haven program and its provisions, visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/CPS/safe-haven.
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