What:
Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe will highlight the success of the County’s Baby Safe Surrender program with the launch of a new awareness campaign and the celebration of a former Safe Surrender baby’s 4th birthday. The new Baby Safe Surrender campaign will expand the program’s outreach to communities across Los Angeles County by launching in multiple languages, collaborating with community-based organizations and relying on a mix of traditional and grassroots awareness efforts.
Why:
The recent discovery of an abandoned baby boy in South El Monte, and the Safe Surrender of a newborn girl a few days later, is a reminder that more work must be done to spread the word about Baby Safe Surrender. The Baby Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother, no matter the situation, a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands—No shame, No blame, No names. Nicholas’ 4th birthday is a reminder of the 109 precious lives saved by the Baby Safe Surrender program. It is a celebration of all the children who were given a second chance at life by mothers who made the right choice for their baby and for themselves.
Who:
Elected Officials and community leaders speaking at the event and available for interviews:
- Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe
- Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby
- Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Director Dr. Mitchell Katz
- First 5 LA Director of Public Affairs Francisco Oaxaca
Additional attendees available for interviews:
- Nicholas’ family
- Adoptive families of safely surrendered children
- Deane Tilton, Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect
When:
Thursday September 26, 2013 at 3:00pm
Where:
Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street, 90012 | Across from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels
Parking for media available in front of building.
Visuals:
- Nicholas blowing out his birthday candles and celebrating his birthday with other surrendered children, their families and Supervisor Knabe.
- Community leaders speaking and attending the event.
- Fire truck and firefighters onsite.
- Kids interacting with firefighters and getting to try on gear.
- Balloons, cake, balloon artist, etc.
- Large visuals of the new campaign unveiled.
- Attendees looking at the new website on laptops.
Background:
Established by Supervisor Knabe in 2001, the Baby Safe Surrender program allows a parent or legal guardian to confidentially hand over an infant, three days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room or fire station in Los Angeles County. As long as the baby has not been abused or neglected, the person may surrender the baby without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment. Since the program began, 109 babies have been safely surrendered in Los Angeles County, including six this year.