Earlier this year, Judge William Alexander of the 10th Judicial District presented the successes of the Safe Babies Court Program to the bar association at their annual meeting, which is held regularly to share performance updates from programs across the county.

What is the Safe Babies Court Team?

The Safe Babies Court Team keeps families together by igniting collective action across states and local communities to meet the urgent needs of babies and toddlers. Through an innovative, team-based approach, the Safe Babies Court Team applies the science of early childhood development to meet the urgent needs of babies and toddlers under court jurisdiction, ultimately transforming child welfare practice.

Through a local community coordinator, working in partnership with families, courts, child welfare agencies, and service providers, the program mobilizes communities to come together in support of families facing extreme hardships, ensuring the urgent needs of infants and toddlers under court jurisdiction and/or in foster care are met.

Judge Alexander’s presentation sparks interest in the Safe Babies Program among judges

In the presentation, Judge Alexander shared his trauma-informed approach to handling cases in his courtroom, emphasizing the importance of meeting parents where they are in their recovery process. He prioritizes keeping children in their parents’ care whenever possible, aiming to reduce the trauma associated with out-of-home placements. The Judge is committed to ensuring the courtroom remains a safe, supportive environment for families.

To further support families, the Safe Babies program provides essential supplies such as diapers, clothes, and toys within the courtroom. Additionally, the Judge has reserved dedicated time slots on his docket where he can engage with families in a more personal setting, allowing for open communication with the Judge while attorneys are also present.

Melissa Piño, Safe Babies Community Coordinator (left) and Judge William Alexander (right)

Judge Alexander’s commitment to serving families doesn’t end in the courtroom

As a 31-year resident of Pueblo county, Judge Alexander is deeply engaged in the community, regularly attending both the Active Community Team meetings, which foster collaboration among local agencies, and the Pueblo Site Implementation Team meetings, a leadership forum where county decision-makers discuss goals and system changes.

He remains open to receiving feedback from families, particularly during case closures, asking, “What can we do better as a system? How can we make changes to improve outcomes for families and strengthen our community?”

Judge Alexander’s commitment to continuous improvement underscores his strong advocacy for Safe Babies, as he recognizes its effectiveness in making a positive impact. Families and colleagues alike appreciate his willingness to listen and act on their input, reinforcing his dedication to ensuring that the Safe Babies approach continues to thrive and benefit the community.

Judge William Alexander’s presentation on the Safe Babies Court Program highlights not only the success of the program but also the transformative impact of a trauma-informed approach to family preservation. His unwavering commitment to keeping families together and reducing the trauma associated with out-of-home placements is making a tangible difference in Pueblo County.

Want to learn more about the Safe Babies program? Head to IlluminateColorado.org/safe-babies today!

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The Safe Babies program focuses on the critical periods of pregnancy, infant, and early childhood to prevent babies and toddlers from entering out-of-home care whenever safely possible. Recognizing some circumstances when out-of-home care cannot be avoided, Safe Babies strives to improve infant, toddler, and family outcomes through intensive oversight and community coordination.

Community Coordinators are essential in carrying out this approach. They collaborate with judicial and child welfare leadership, community partners, and other stakeholders to ensure families experience the best outcomes possible.

Today, let’s find out what a typical day looks like for Safe Babies Community Coordinator, Erin Baker-Ojeda! 

Starting the day.

Erin begins her day with a virtual partnership meeting to improve the way systems are working for families. 

Erin’s favorite part of the day!

Next, Erin makes her way over to Arapahoe Department of Human Services for her favorite part of the day: meeting with parents!

During this time, Erin has the opportunity to talk with parents about their child’s development guided by Milestone Moments, a booklet developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; chat with them about what their goals are; and share how Safe Babies as a court team can support them. 

Ensuring caregivers have what they need.

Once Erin leaves the Department of Human Services, she makes her way south to drop off some baby supplies to a family who is caring for a relative’s infant. 

Wrapping up the day.

To end her day, Erin has the opportunity to attend a Safe Babies partnership meeting at the courthouse with service providers, departments, attorneys, and Judge Bonnie McLean!

That’s a wrap on a day in the life as a Safe Babies Community Coordinator! 

We hope you had as much fun as we did tagging along with Erin for a day. Be sure to stay up to date on all things Safe Babies, and all of they other ways Illuminate helps families thrive in Colorado, by signing up for our newsletter and blog.

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