East Boston
Neighborhood Health Center now designated Baby Safe Haven
December 17, 2010, East Boston, MA—The Emergency
Department of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) is
now officially designated a Baby Safe Haven. The Safe Haven Act of
Massachusetts allows a parent facing the last resort to legally
surrender a newborn infant 7 days old or younger at a hospital,
police station, or manned fire station without criminal prosecution.
EBNHC supports healthy families and works to keep families intact.
Unfortunately, in some instances new parents are unable or unwilling
to care for an infant and need an immediate solution to a crisis
situation. The Safe Haven Act provides a viable alternative to the
unsafe abandonment of a newborn that may lead to injury or death.
“We must provide this service to our community,” said Jack Cradock,
President and CEO of EBNHC. “This is about saving lives by offering
help to those who feel they have no other choice but to relinquish a
newborn for its own safety.”
Martha Nencioli, Administrative Director of the Women’s Health and
Obstetrics Department, was responsible for initiating the Baby Safe
Haven designation process at EBNHC. “The Safe Haven designation is
important because it allows the health center to offer a safe and
compassionate solution to parents who are in a desperate situation,”
she said.
The Safe Haven Act is an amendment to Chapter 119 of the
Massachusetts General Laws, section 39.5. The law went into effect
on October 29, 2004. More information can be found at www.ebnhc.org/BabySafeHaven.php
or by calling 866-814-SAFE.
The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center has been a vital part of
the community for 40 years, providing easily accessible,
high-quality health care to all who live and work in East Boston and
the surrounding communities of Chelsea, Revere, Everett, and
Winthrop. EBNHC handles 300,000 patient visits per year—more than
any other ambulatory care center in New England.
CONTACT:
Martha Nencioli
Administrative Director, Women’s Health and Obstetrics
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
617-568-4441
nenciolm@ebnhc.org
