Safe Babies Court (SBC) aims to reduce the time a child spends in foster care before reaching a permanent, safe home, preferably through reunification. The approach seeks to improve the long-term well-being of children and families involved with the child welfare court system by providing (1) information about the unique mental health and developmental needs of infants and toddlers and (2) case oversight.

SBC connects babies, toddlers, and their families with intensive support, and monitors services designed to promote healthy child development while working to ensure safe and timely permanence. SBC includes frequent judicial status conferences and family team meetings to provide additional oversight and ensure the family’s needs are met and the case is not lingering in the court system. The goals of SBC are to improve timeliness to permanence, reduced recurrence of maltreatment, and enhanced child well-being.

The Chief Justice’s Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts recommended implementing SBC in North Carolina through a three-year, five-site pilot.

North Carolina Safe Babies Court Vision Statement

A North Carolina where children grow up in families that are safe, nurturing, and able to thrive.

North Carolina Safe Babies Court Mission Statement

• To transform the child welfare court process from an adversarial one to a collaborative, trauma-informed partnership between the court system, the child welfare system, involved families, people with lived experience, and communities.
• To improve the long-term well-being of parents, children, and families involved in the child welfare court system by providing them with trauma-informed support and services.
• To achieve timely permanence, reduce generational trauma, and eliminate maltreatment.

The first three years of life are a critical time for brain development. Safe Babies Court ensures infants and toddlers entering foster care receive individualized support and services to obtain safety, wellbeing, and an environment that supports early brain development and attachment.

Safe Babies Court serves families with children from birth to age three (or birth to age five in some areas) under the court’s jurisdiction. The approach is designed to ensure infant and toddlers are safe, healthy (physically and mentally), remain connected to their parent(s), and achieve permanence as soon as possible.

• Safe Babies Court (SBC) families participate in a Judicial Status Conference (JSC) every month. JSCs provide an opportunity to update the court on the child(ren)’s and respondent(s)’s progress since the previous court date, in an informal setting. This unique environment gives an opportunity for the judge to praise the respondent(s) on their accomplishments and to provide them with encouragement they may need.
• Safe Babies Court (SBC) families have Family Team Meetings (FTMs) every month to maintain high momentum of service. FTMs engage families in collaborative, proactive planning. The center of decision-making is young children’s developmental needs for safe, stable, and nurturing early caregiving relationships and the individualized needs of each family member. These meetings are meant to ensure that all strengths, challenges, and barriers are discussed in a non-adversarial and transparent manner, to ensure children and respondents participating in SBC are receiving the services and support they need.
• Safe Babies Court (SBC) families may be assessed for participation in Child Parent Psychotherapy, a special family therapy session, once a week. The goal of this therapy is to strengthen attachment and address trauma.

Families that choose to participate in Safe Babies Court will have:

• A designated team managing their case that includes the parent, a community coordinator trained in the specific needs of infants and toddlers, members of the local Department of Social Services (DSS) agency, court partners, and community providers.
• Expedited referrals to programs and services
• A voice in the decision-making process
• More contact and family time with their child(ren), that is optimized to include participating in medical appointments, virtual, and community visits when appropriate and possible.
• Monthly Family Team Meetings
• Monthly Judicial Status Conferences

1. Mitchell and Yancey Counties - Implementation began in July 2023
2. New Hanover County – Implementation began in July 2023
3. Durham County - Implementation began in July 2024
4. Brunswick County – Implementation began in July 2024
5. McDowell and Rutherford Counties - Implementation will begin in 2025

• Safe Babies Court pilot program off to promising start in N.C. - Carolina Public Press, September 2024
• Safe Babies Court Begins Enrolling Families in Three North Carolina Counties - July 2024
• All Things Judicial Profiles New Safe Babies Courts - May 2024
• Judicial Branch to Launch Safe Babies Court Team Pilot Sites - May 2023

• Safe Babies Court Fact Sheet
• Safe Babies Court State Advisory Committee Meetings

Do you have a question about Safe Babies Court?