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