The first three years in a child’s life are critical.
Our goal is for children to maintain healthy development and have lasting permanency, including family reunification, whenever safely possible.
SBCT operates in Passaic, Hudson, & Essex Counties.
All families enrolled in New Jersey Safe Babies Court Team have at least one child in the family from birth to age 3 and are involved with the child welfare and family court system due to allegations of abuse and/or neglect. Children are placed in foster care or with family supports at the beginning of the Safe Baby Court case.
Ultimately, the Safe Baby Court Team serves each family in unique and personal ways but one constant is keeping the baby at the center of all decision-making.
Safe Babies in action
Learn how NJ Safe Babies Court Team Coordinator Davetta along with CASA volunteer Reid worked together to advocate for the best interests of Kathy.
Why infants and toddlers?
Early Developmental Impact
Infants and toddlers are at a critical stage of development, and exposure to trauma can have long-lasting effects on their physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
Attachment and Bonding
Children placed in foster care often experience disruptions in attachment and bonding due to separation from their primary caregivers.
We use an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) lens to:
Ensure that caregivers and professionals understand the unique needs of infants and provide appropriate support to mitigate the impact of trauma on their development.
Emphasize the importance of creating secure attachments with caregivers
Respond to the cues and signals of infants and provide sensitive and responsive care. This helps infants feel safe and secure, promoting healthy attachment relationships and mitigating the effects of trauma.
Ensure that caregivers and professionals create environments that are safe, predictable, and supportive, reducing the risk of re-traumatization.
Focus on infants’ innate resilience and promote positive outcomes despite early adversity.