Congratulations on your new baby! 

Pregnancy and parenthood are special times when you make plans to care for yourself and your baby. If you use substances like alcohol or drugs, it can be especially helpful to create a plan to safely care for yourself and your infant. You can develop this plan, called a Plan of Safe Care, with the help of a professional to meet the personalized needs of your family. The goal of a Plan of Safe Care is to strengthen the family, help pregnant people have a healthy pregnancy, and keep children safely at home.

What is a Plan of Safe Care?

• A personalized guide to connect you with the resources you want to help your family thrive.
• A tool designed to address the health, development, safety, and well-being needs of infants born exposed to substances as well as their family members and caregivers. A tool to help you coordinate your care between providers.
• A tool that communicates your strengths, needs, and accomplishments to your providers.
• A one-page informational about the Plan of Safe Care can be found here.

When do I make a Plan of Safe Care?

A Plan of Safe Care can be developed anytime. Ideally, it is developed as soon as possible during your pregnancy. If a Plan of Safe Care has not been started during pregnancy, it can be developed after you have your baby. The earlier you start a Plan of Safe Care, the more time you have to prepare for your baby with support.

Who could be involved in helping me to create and update my Plan of Safe Care?

 A Plan of Safe Care should include input from all care providers involved in your care and the care of your child(ren). This could be:

• Pregnancy Care Provider
• Primary Care Provider
• Substance Use Treatment Provider or Recovery Coach
• Home Visitor
• Child Welfare Staff
• Mental Health Provider

You are NOT alone!

Many people struggle during pregnancy and in early parenthood. Resources are available to help you support and care for your family. Many of these resources are low-cost or free. The Plan of Safe Care can help you advocate for yourself and your children. Talk to your care provider today to build your Plan of Safe Care. Sharing your Plan of Safe Care with all of your care providers will help them help you!

Local Community Resources

Find social care resources – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System by Unite Us

Pregnancy Resources

Florida Prenatal Screen | Florida Department of Health

Florida Pregnancy Support Services: Free Testing & 24/7 Helpline

Home – Florida Newborn Screening

Breastfeeding | Florida Department of Health

Resources for Safety  

Safe Sleeping Environment | Florida Department of Health

Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida Shaken Baby Syndrome Resources

Household Products – Florida’s Poison Control Centers

Resources for Families

Nutrition Materials | Florida Department of Health