There are several issues that I believe need to be addressed:

Does this mother have baby care skills? Has she ever been around or cared for
infants or small children? Is she willing/able to take and attend to a baby
care class? All new parents without prior baby care experience are encouraged
to take such classes.  Perhaps a community Red Cross class or parenting class
may be available.  She may need extra time to learn these skills, and someone
with extra time and patience to teach her.

 Is she still currently addicted to illegal drugs that will impair her
ability to care for herself and her infant? If she is, I don't think that she
will (or should) be given custody of this baby. If she is not, is she
currently attending Al-Anon meetings to keep herself clean? Remember how
stressfull having a new baby is...... She may need to continue to attend
these meetings and continue to receive such specific support.

What are the experiences and relationships with the other women with whom she
lives. Are they simply roomates, or could they be a source of support?

Does this woman have anyone to advocate for her, perhaps a social worker or
case manager? Any extended family? To care for her baby on a long term basis
(weeks, months, hopefully years) this woman will probably  need ongoing
assistance (don't we all!) to help her to work through the infinite number of
ongoing challenges we all face as parents.

Where is the baby's father? Is he interested in being involved, either
financially or emotionally?

Please keep us posted on this mother-to-be.


Debbie Rabin, OTR, CLC
Los Angeles, CA