Children and families in Hamilton County can now access a state program designed to improve long-term outcomes for small children in the welfare system.
Hamilton County this week joined a dozen other Tennessee counties in offering Safe Baby Court, which began as a pilot program in Davidson County in 2015.
In 2017, the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation to create the Zero To Three Court Initiative to improve outcomes for infants, toddlers and families involved in the child welfare system. The Safe Babies Court Team is a community engagement approach focused on improving how courts, child welfare agencies and child-related organizations work together, share information and expedite services for young children in the judicial system.
The approach has decreased the amount of time spent in the foster care system by up to a year, reduced recurrences of maltreatment and connected children and their family to services they need to reunite, notes a news release from Hamilton County Juvenile Court.
Tennessee is tapping into Title IV-E funding to support expansion of the program.
How Baby Court works
SBC is a specialized court program for infants and toddlers up to 3 years old. Cases begin with a parent committing to regaining custody of their child. The parent then works with a team of attorneys, case managers, child welfare workers, development specialists and key professionals to create safe, stable home for the child.
Monthly court appearances provide accountability as progress is monitored and challenges are discussed. Adoption remains an alternative for the child.
Savings to the system
Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Rob Philyaw says a report of child abuse or neglect occurs every 10 seconds. But once a child enters the juvenile court system, the way out is often expensive and tedious.
“Often, these children will have repeated interactions with the judicial system. SBC provides an effective, efficient and sensitive path toward permanency,” Philyaw says.
Last month, Hamilton County Juvenile Court hosted over 100 community service providers in a two-day training event in preparation for launch of SBC. Philyaw says the program will be a game changer for babies and toddlers coming before the court.
“Finding a forever home is the goal; however, giving parents who are truly motivated the tools they need for the future will provide stronger families and a stronger community for all of us.”
Philyaw has served as Hamilton County’s juvenile court judge since 2013.
The Tennessee Safe Baby Court was initiated after the Tennessee General Assembly recognized the need for child and family programs to help reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect, reports the local Juvenile Court in its news release.
Legislation also recognized the importance of minimizing childhood trauma in young children and promoting stability for children and families across the state.
SBC targets families with young children who are at high risk for developmental, physical, or mental health issues due to the vulnerability of their age and trauma related to maltreatment that impacts the brain during the early stages of development.
The program strives to connect families with their communities and provide a strong foundation for infant mental health.