During the Cumberland County Commission meeting last night, the commissioners considered and approved Resolution 12-2025-15, a budget amendment to establish a Safe Baby Court program using grant funding from the State of Tennessee. Safe Baby Courts are specialized juvenile court initiatives in Tennessee designed to support infants and toddlers (typically from birth to age three or four) who enter the child welfare system due to abuse, neglect, or related issues, often linked to parental substance use disorders. The program employs a trauma-informed, family-centered approach, connecting families with wraparound services to address needs, promote reunification where possible, and achieve permanent, stable homes for the children more quickly.

The original resolution included a $5,000 salary supplement for staff involved in the program. However, an amendment was proposed and passed by a 12-4-1 vote to remove this supplement and reallocate those funds to the supply line item specifically for the benefit of the children, such as essential items, resources, or direct support. Commissioners Sherrill, Baldwin, Holbrook, and Mall voted against the amendment (favoring retention of the salary supplement), while Commissioner York passed (abstained). Following the amendment’s approval, the full resolution to create the Safe Baby Court, now modified to prioritize child supplies, was voted on and passed unanimously.

This new Safe Baby Court in Cumberland County is fully supported by a $100,000 state grant with no required local matching funds, aligning with similar programs across Tennessee that aim to reduce childhood trauma and improve outcomes for vulnerable young children and their families.