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Cole County OKs Safe Haven baby box, design work to be paid from fundraising
Summary
Cole County commissioners approved a contract to install a Safe Haven baby box at a county public‑safety facility and authorized paid design work to be covered by about $28,000 raised by community donors.
Cole County commissioners approved a contract April 8 to purchase and install a Safe Haven baby box at a county public‑safety facility and authorized paid design services to prepare the installation. The commissioners voted to sign the contract after a task force of community members described raised funds and next steps.
The task force said it has raised approximately $28,000 toward the project, including a major donation from the Pregnancy Help Center. ‘‘They've raised, approximately $28,000 for this,’’ said Miranda Backus, a licensed professional counselor from Jefferson City who helped organize the citizen task force. Backus told commissioners the box itself costs about $16,000 and additional funds will cover engineering, alarm systems and construction work for a secure exterior installation.
Kurt Dunhaifer, chairman of the Pregnancy Help Center board, and other task force members told the commission the installation will be located at a public‑safety site so Emergency Medical Services can quickly evaluate and transport any infant surrendered through the device. ‘‘There are alarm systems, silent alarm systems, that as soon as something is placed into the device, it activates different emergency channels,’’ the group said during the presentation.
Task force members said the device is intended to add an option for anonymous, safe relinquishment under Missouri safe‑haven law. The task force expects to secure the box from Safe Haven Baby Box and complete construction and engineering work before an anticipated fall 2025 installation, though a final timeline depends on completion of structural and electrical design work for an exterior, load‑bearing wall.
Commissioners also approved a professional services agreement with Architects Alliance to design the installation. Architects Alliance provided an estimate range ($2,500–$5,000) for the design components and a not‑to‑exceed hourly cap of $6,000 for the services; the commission approved the agreement with the explicit instruction that the design work be paid from the project’s fundraising account and that there be no county general‑fund expense for the design.
In a brief discussion before the vote, task force members emphasized education and community awareness. ‘‘Even though Safe Haven has been on the books since 02/2003, people don't know about it. So this provides a focal point for the community to be informed that this is an option for that desperate parent,’’ said a task force member.
The commission approved the Safe Haven Baby Box contract and the Architects Alliance design agreement by voice vote. No county appropriation was approved for the purchase or the design; commissioners and the task force said continuing maintenance costs would be met through ongoing fundraising and community donations.
The county will receive the box from the vendor and proceed with engineering and construction work required for an exterior wall installation. The task force and commissioners said they expect to hold a ribbon‑cutting after installation and continue community outreach and education about safe‑haven options.
