North Carolina and South Carolina are implementing Safe Babies Court (SBC) across 14 counties. SBC is an evidence-informed model that improves outcomes for infants and toddlers in the child welfare system who are the largest segment of the foster care population. Children birth to 5 represented approximately 40 to 50 percent of those entering foster care in North Carolina and South Carolina in 2023 – 2024.
SBC is a collaborative, court-based model that aims to move infants and toddlers out of foster care and into permanent, safe homes as quickly as possible. Under the SBC model:
- Judges drive collaboration and system change.
- A dedicated staff member supports families and coordinates services.
- Cross-sector partners work together to reduce service gaps and promote trauma-informed care.
- Monthly meetings of judges, parents, social workers and others ensure transparency, oversight and collaborative problem-solving.
- Early identification and timely access to trauma-informed, evidence-based services.
- Planning begins on day one to ensure timely and stable permanency options.
Nationally, some of the model’s key outcomes are that less than 1 percent of children experienced repeat abuse or neglect at 12 months post-program completion compared to the national rate of 9.1 percent. Also, the model generated cost savings of $14,000 per family through reductions in child welfare and health care costs.
Implementation in the Carolinas
Category | North Carolina | South Carolina |
Leadership | N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts and Department of Health and Human Services | S.C. Infant Mental Health Association, S.C. Department of Social Services, and South Carolina Network of Child Advocacy Centers |
Launch Date | 2023 | 2020 |
Counties Involved | Mitchell, Yancey, New Hanover, Durham, Brunswick, McDowell, Rutherford | Charleston, Lexington, Laurens, Orangeburg, Spartanburg, Berkeley, Dorchester |
The Endowment and other private funders are exploring partnerships with each state to strengthen and expand the model. The video (HERE) showcases the perspectives of judges, advocates, services providers and families about the value of Safe Babies Court.