Latest news with #NicholasPietrack
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Open Arms Foundation fundraising for state's third Safe Haven Baby Box
May 26—Open Arms Foundation of Jasper County is about halfway to its fundraising goal to establish the state's third ever Safe Haven Baby Box in Newton. Nicholas Pietrack, founder of the Open Arms Foundation, said a Safe Haven Baby Box is estimated to cost around $20,000, and then there is an annual service fee of $500 for re-certification, updated trainings and testings. So to cover for those extra fees, Open Arms Foundation set its goal at $30,000. So far, the nonprofit organization has raised about $16,000 for the project. All of the funds have been donations from community members. Newton Masonic Lodge held a fundraiser breakfast for Open Arms Foundation back in April, the proceeds of which were donated to the nonprofit to help secure a Safe Haven Baby Box. In 2002, Iowa enacted safe haven laws that allow parents of a child appearing 90 days old to legally surrender that child to an emergency medical service provider. Only two Safe Haven Baby Boxes exist in the state: Des Moines and Fort Dodge. Pietrack said Open Arms Foundation wants to be the third in the state. Ever since the safe haven laws have been in effect, Pietrack said there have been 74 instances where a parent legally surrendered their child. Pietrack said the idea of the safe haven laws is to protect parents and the children in the event of a crisis. The parent is protected from abandonment and neglect charges. "It's a legal, anonymous surrender," Pietrack said. "The issue that states have discovered is that sometimes the actual act of going to somebody and saying, 'I want to give up my kid,' people are afraid to do that. They're afraid of the ramifications and the shame and the public image." Which is partly why Safe Haven Baby Boxes have been implemented in a number of states. Currently, more than 330 Safe Haven Baby Boxes have been installed throughout the United States. Pietrack said they are typically installed around fire departments or hospitals, which have 24-7 staffing. When a child is placed in the box, the door closes and a packet of information is released for the parent on what to do next and followup with information about the child. By the time the child is placed in a box, a silent alarm is sounded so that a medical provider can retrieve the baby. Dispatch is also notified. Average response time is one to two minutes. Currently, Open Arms Foundation wants to install the Safe Haven Baby Box at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. Another Iowa community that wants to install a Safe Haven Baby Box is Norwalk. Within the past year or so, an infant was born in a home in Norwalk and was discarded, leading to its death. Pietrack said Open Arms Foundation wants to remain proactive so that situations like that do not happen in Jasper County. Open Arms Foundation was created as a reaction to helping drug endangered children in Jasper County. Parents who are facing crisis often are also involved in drugs. Pietrack said a Safe Haven Baby Box extends the nonprofit's mission further by providing an opportunity for children to be safely taken care of. "If this box saves one kid in the next 20 years, that's worth it," Pietrack said. For more information or to learn how to donate, visit
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Crisis Canines conducts courtroom training at Jasper County Courthouse
Mar. 17—Crisis Canines may not be capable of giving testimonies at Jasper County court hearings, but they may be able to assist those who can. Nicholas Pietrack, assistant county attorney, formally requested permission last week to use the Jasper County Courthouse outside normal business hours to conduct training sessions with Crisis Canines of the Midlands, and thereby enhancing support for victims and witnesses in courtroom settings. "Historically, there's been some precedent where Crisis Canines like this can be used in the courtroom for victim testimonies — especially juveniles — during trials, hearings, etc.," Pietrack said. "We've not done it in Jasper County, to date. Part of that is just logistics. We haven't been able to practice it." Also, in each case, the use of the canine in the courtroom would need court approval. Pietrack said the Jasper County Attorney's Office has not had a recent case where it felt it needed a Crisis Canine. The training — which took place last weekend for about four hours — was for three to five Jasper County-based dogs. "Sometimes the dog would be at the person's feet testifying, usually a child or a victim, or just sometimes be in the courtroom so they can kind of maintain contact and be with the dog before and after testifying — things like that," Pietrack said. "To date, we've used these dogs in our depositions before trial." From what Pietrack has seen, the Crisis Canines have been tremendously beneficial and have worked as a good ice breaker for when attorneys have to meet with a child victim. The dog makes them feel at ease. Pietrack said multiple victims have told him that as long as the dog will be there they feel OK. According to the letter drafted by Pietrack to the board of supervisors, the Crisis Canines help alleviate anxiety and provide comfort to those recounting traumatic experiences. Pietrack argued that allowing the training would strengthen the office's ability to support vulnerable individuals during these difficult moments. Pietrack told supervisors at their March 11 meeting that the Iowa Attorney General's Office would also be part of the training to learn how to best implement the practice throughout the state. Jasper County, he suggested, is becoming one of the frontrunners in how to work with and implement Crisis Canines. Supervisor Brandon Talsma was on board with the training so long as it was OK with Maintenance Director Adam Sparks. County Auditor Jenna Jennings said she had spoken with him about it and he was favorable to the idea.
