Sistovaris, M., Sansone, G., Fallon, B. & Miller, S. (2022). The Efficacy of Birth Alerts: Fact Sheet. Toronto, Ontario: Policy Bench, Fraser Mustard Institute of Human Development, University of Toronto.
Birth alerts are notifications that flag expectant parents to hospitals in advance of a child’s birth when it is believed that the newborn may be at risk of harm and in need of protection after delivery. Birth alerts are typically issued by child welfare workers without the knowledge or consent of the expectant parents. The alert prompts the hospital staff to contact child welfare authorities as soon as the baby is born and could result in the baby being removed from the care of its mother. Information contained in birth alerts varies across jurisdictions, however, most birth alert documents include: ⇒ the client’s information, what the child protection concerns are, the access plan following the delivery (i.e. can the baby be in room in with the mother, who can visit with the baby), any safety or security issues for staff, as well as information in regards to the discharge plan for the baby.