Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/04/15 Item 4 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT ~\'f:. CITY OF ~CHULA VISTA April 15, 2008 Item~ SUBMITTED BY: REVIEWED BY: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA IMPLEMENTING THE SAFELY SURRENDERED BABY PROGRAM AND DESIGNATING CHULA VISTA FIRE STATIONS AS SAFE SURRENDER SITES FIRE CHIEF jb- CITY MANAGER ITEM TITLE: 4/5THS VOTE: YES NO X SUMMARY In 2001, SB1368 became law and established the Safely Surrender Baby program. The purpose of the law is to encourage parents to bring unwanted infants, up to 72 hours old, to reception centers such as hospitals or fire stations, rather than abandon them in dumpsters or bushes. No names are required and the parent(s) will not be subject to prosecution for child abandonment. The Fire Department is requesting that Council adopt the resolution that designates the City's nine fire stations as safe baby havens. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA] and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defmed under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it does not involve a physical change to the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060[c][3] of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary. RECOMMENDATION Council adopt the resolution. BOARDS/COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION Not Applicable. 4-1 April 15, 2008 Item-i- Page 2 DISCUSSION Infant abandonment is an event that does not occur very often, but when it does, it often results in serious injury or death. In 2001, SB1368 became law and established the Safely Surrender Baby program now codified, in relevant part, at California Health and Safety Code section 1255.7. The purpose of the law is to encourage parents to bring unwanted infants, up to 72 hours old, to reception centers such as hospitals or fire stations, rather than abandon them in dumpsters or bushes. No names are required and the parent(s) will not be subject to criminal prosecution for child abandonment. The baby will receive needed medical treatment and be placed in an adoptive home. There is a mechanism for parents to reclaim the infant within 14 days if deemed appropriate by County Child Protective Services. The Safely Surrendered Baby law established hospitals as safe haven sites and allowed the Counties to designate other facilities, such as fire stations, as safe haven sites. On December 11, 2007, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the designation of fire stations that are staffed full-time as safe haven sites as documented in Attachment 1. Fire stations are located in the communities where people work and live, and fire stations have always been thought of as places where people can go to get help. A local fire station can be less intimidating than a hospital. This action by the City Council is necessary to approve the use of local fire stations, which will be posted with signs designating the fire stations as safe surrender sites. Statewide, 182 newborns have been safely surrendered in California since the law was enacted. Unfortunately, infants continue to be illegally abandoned, resulting in injury and death. In north San Diego County, two abandoned infants have been found dead in the past two years. It is frightening to consider how many abandoned infants were never found. The opportunity of hope for a potentially abandoned infant that a fire station safe haven provides will benefit the community. Implementation The Fire Department will conduct in-service training (1ST) sessions for all suppression personnel with respect to the care and handling of infants that may be brought to the City's fire stations under this program. The Fire Department will develop and place into use additional standard operating guidelines that provide specific directions to fire personnel for the implementation of the Safely Surrender Baby Program. Included in these guidelines will be directions regarding: how to interact with the parente s) who wish to surrender their baby, notification of proper authorities, and proper documentation of the event. DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. FISCAL IMPACT The total cost to implement this program is less than $500 per year to purchase the necessary program materials. Funds are available in the Fire Department's Fiscal Year 2007-2008 budget to cover the expenses related to implementing this program. There will be no additional impact to the general fund as a result of approving this recommendation. 4-2 April 15, 2008 1tem~ Page 3 ATTACHMENT 1: Supporting documents from County of San Diego, dated December 11, 2007. 4-3 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO GREG COX First District DIANNE JACOB SeeondDistrict AGENDA ITEM PAM SLATER-PRICE Third Districl RON ROBERTS Fourth Dislricl BILL HORN Fifth District DATE: December 11, 2007 TO: Board of Supervisors SUBJECT: RESOLUTION DESIGNATING FIRE STATIONS AS SAFE-SURRENDER BABY SITES (DISTRICT: All) SUMMARY: Overview The Board of Supervisors has demonstrated a continuing commitment to the welfare of children in San Diego County through a number of actions in recent years. In line with State law, in 2001 the County's Health and Human Services Agency, Child Welfare Services division (CWS) established policies and procedures for parents or individuals with legal custody to safely surrender an infant 72 hours old or younger without fear of criminal prosecution. The State law and local policy is aimed at preventing unnecessary abandonment and death of helpless children. Currently, safe- surrender sites include public and private hospitals. In an effort to better ensure the safety and well-being of children, today's action seeks Board approval of a resolution to expand the provisions to safely surrender an infant at appropriate local fire agencies that are fully staffed 24 hours a day. The County's CWS staff has collaborated with County Fire Chiefs to develop protocols and procedures to create a safety net to further protect infants who are at risk of abandonment and potential death in San Diego County. Recommendation(s) CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Adopt the Resolution entitled "A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego to Adopt the Use of City and County Fire Agencies as Safe Surrender Sites." Fiscal Impact There is no known fiscal impact as a result of this action. Business Impact Statement N/A ATTACHMENT 1 Version 1,7-HHSA 4-4 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION DESIGNATING FIRE STATIONS AS SAFE SURRENDER BABY SITES (DISTRICT: All) Alternatives N/A Advisory Board Statement This Board Letter was reviewed and accepted by the Commission on Children, Youth and Families Executive committee on November 16, 2007. BACKGROUND: The "Safely Surrendered Baby (SSB) Law," commonly known as the "Safe Arms for Newborns," or "Safe Haven" (SB 1368), was initially implemented January 1,2001, in response to the increased number of abandoned baby deaths in California. Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation on October 7,2005, extending the law permanently as of January 6, 2006. In line with State law, the County of San Diego has developed policies and procedures to protect children at risk of abandonment. The intent of the law is to prevent exposing infants to the risk of being unsafely and illegally abandoned and to offer a last resort to parents who, in a time of severe emotional distress, may believe they have no other options. It is believed that by allowing parents to legally surrender their child to personnel at a hospital emergency room or fire station, they will do so, ensuring the child's safety. Moreover, the law provides a means for a parent or individual who has lawful custody of an infant to safely surrender their child without fear of being prosecuted for criminal child abandonment. Over the last three fiscal years, there have been four babies abandoned in San Diego county. Today's action would extend the safe-surrender sites to fire agencies that are staffed 24 hours a day. Designated fire station personnel will do the following: . Post clear signage at designated safe-surrender sites that infants may be safely surrendered; . Post clear signage at non-designated sites that it is not a safe-surrender site, and provide a contact number for additional information; . Notify dispatch and request paramedic and/or ambulance assistance; . Place a coded, confidential ankle bracelet on the child; . Make a good faith effort to provide the parent or individual surrendering the child a medical information questionnaire to complete and return; . Ensure that a medical screening examination and any necessary medical care is provided to the minor child; . Contact CWS and inform them of a surrendered infant. The policy will permit the paramedic to assume the custody of the infant, initiate hospital contact, and continue to assess and provide for any medical needs of the infant. The Paramedic shall transport the infant to the receiving hospital and transfer custody to a designated hospital employee. In accordance with State law, neither a safe-surrender site nor its personnel shall be - 2 - 4-5 ATTACHMENT 1 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION DESIGNATING FIRE STATIONS AS SAFE SURRENDER BABY SITES (DISTRICT: All) subject to civil, criminal, or administrative liability for accepting a surrendered child in the good faith belief that the action is required pursuant to Health and Safety Code 1255.7. Linkage to the County of San Diego Strategic Plan This action is directly aligned with the County of San Diego's Strategic Plan in that it provides for the health and safety of at-risk children by allowing parents or individuals to confidentially surrender an unharmed newborn at a public or private hospital or local fire agency, designated by a county Board of Supervisors, without fear of criminal prosecution. Respectfully submitted, II "\J r~"C -' WALTERF. EKARD Chief Administrative Officer - 3 - 4-6 AlTACHMENT 1 COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2007 MINUTE ORDER NO. 3 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION DESIGNATING FIRE STATIONS AS SAFE- SURRENDER BABY SITES (DISTRICTS: ALL) OVERVIEW: The Board of Supervisors has demonstrated a continuing commitment to the welfare of children in San Diego County through a number of actions in recent years. In line with State law, in 2001 the County's Health and Human Services Agency, Child Welfare Services division (CWS) established policies and procedures for parents or individuals with legal custody to safely surrender an infant 72 hours old or younger without fear of criminal prosecution. The State law and local policy is aimed at preventing unnecessary abandonment and death of helpless children. Currently, safe-surrender sites include public and private hospitals. In an effort to better ensure the safety and well-being of children, today's action seeks Board approval of a resolution to expand the provisions to safely surrender an infant at appropriate local fire agencies that are fully staffed 24 hours a day. The County's CWS staff has collaborated with County Fire Chiefs to develop protocols and procedures to create a safety net to further protect infants who are at risk of abandonment and potential death in.San Diego County. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no known fiscal impact as a result of this action. RECOMMENDATION: CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Adopt the Resolution entitled "A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego to Adopt the Use of City and County Fire Agencies as Safe Surrender Sites." ACTION: ON MOTION of Supervisor Slater-Price, seconded by Supervisor Horn, the Board took action as recommended, on Consent, adopting Resolution No. 07-246 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO ADOPT THE USE OF CITY AND COUNTY FIRE AGENCIES AS SAFE-SURRENDER SITES. AYES: Cox, Jacob, Slater-Price, Roberts, Horn AlTACHMENT 1 4-7 State ofCalifomia) County of San Diego) ~ I hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of the Original entered in the Minutes of the Board of Supervisors. THOMAS J. PASTUSZKA Clerk of the Board of Supervisors BY~~ nVI ' ,all.. Deputy 4-8 ATTACHMENT 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2008- RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA IMPLEMENTING THE SAFELY SURRENDERED BABY PROGRAM AND DESIGNATING CHULA VISTA FIRE STATIONS AS SAFE SURRENDER SITES WHEREAS, SB 1368, Safely Surrendered Baby Program, became California law in 200 I; and WHEREAS, Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation October 7,2005 extending the Safely Surrendered Baby Law permanently beginning January 1,2006; and WHEREAS, the Safely Surrendered Baby Program allows parents to surrender unwanted infants who are 72 hours old or younger, as set forth in California Health and Safety Code section 1255.7, to employees at designated facilities safely, confidentially, and without fear of prosecution; and WHEREAS, by action on December 11, 2007, the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors authorized fire stations that are staffed full time to be designated as Safe Surrender sites; and WHEREAS, the Safely Surrendered Baby law provides a safe alternative to desperate mothers who are unwilling or unable to keep their babies; and WHEREAS, a local fire station may provide a less intimidating alternative than a hospital for a frightened and desperate parent and offers an endangered infant a chance for survival; and WHEREAS, signs will be posted outside all nine Chula Vista fire stations designating them as safe surrender sites pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1255.7(B)(4); and WHEREAS, the total cost to implement this program is less than $500 per year to purchase the necessary program materials and will result in no impact to the City's General Fund. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby approve and designate, under the authority of the California Health and Safety Code and the action of the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors, the use of the nine City of Chula Vista fire stations as safe surrender sites, as defined by the Health and Safety Code section 1255.7. J:\Attomey\RESO\FIRE\Safe Surrender Baby Program_04-15-08.doc 4-9 Resolution No. 2008- Page 2 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby authorize the implementation of the Safely Surrendered Baby Program within the Chula Vista Fire Department. Presented by Approved as to form by James S. Geering Fire Chief (Interim) J:\Allamey\RESO\FIRE\Safe Surrcl1der Baby Program_04-15-08.doc 4-10