Program Description
The Arkansas Safe Haven law allows delivery of a child who is thirty (30) days old or younger to a medical provider, law enforcement agency, fire department, or medical provider staff member. The child may be left in a designated safety device (often called a baby box) that is voluntarily installed by the medical provider, law enforcement agency, or fire department. The baby box must be physically located on a structured wall of or inside a hospital, law enforcement agency, or fire department; and located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to the employees of the hospital, law enforcement agency, or fire department.
The Safe Haven Baby Box Grant program provides funding to eligible organizations to assist with the costs associated with implementing a Safe Haven Baby Box.
Statutory Authority
Ark. Code Ann. §§ 9-34-202 and 203.
Eligible Entities
Grant funds may only be used for costs associated with implementing a Safe Haven Baby Box that meets the requirements set forth in A.C.A. § 9-34-202. Applicants are eligible to apply for grant funding to cover up to 50% of the cost.
Eligible Organizations Include:
- City, County Hospitals with an emergency room
- Law Enforcement Agencies
- Fire Departments (including volunteer departments)
