24-Hour Crisis Hotline
Parents who find themselves in the midst of a crisis may call our hotline any time, day or night. When a parent calls, trained Family Advocates are there to answer, provide support, and asess the severity of the crisis.
Nursery staff determine the adequacy of the family's basic needs, safety, shelter, income, food, clothing and medical care by using the Basic Needs Assessment Tool, developed by a Clinical Psychologist specifically for the Nursery.
If the parent wishes to place their children at the Crisis Nursery, and space is available, Family Advocates arrange for free transportation.
The Crisis Nursery managed 4,943 crisis calls in FY 2006... a 215% increase from FY 2005.
Crisis Counseling
When parents arrive at the Crisis Nursery, they meet with a Famly Advocate during intake and discharge interviews. At intake, the parent works with the Family Advocate to create a short-term action plan to address, mitigate and resolve their crisis during the time that their children are staying at the Nursery.
Our Family Advocates supply targeted referrals to community services that help parents address their crisis. During the discharge interview, parents discuss their progress toward their goals and receive additional referrals and supportive counseling.
During FY 2006, the Nursery provided 1,405 parents with on-site crisis counseling.
We also provided 1,876 referrals to families during the same time period.
Family Education
One of the four most common reasons parents cite for using our services is a housing crisis. We reach out to homeless families by offering a parent education class at People Serving People (PSP) shelter during the school year.
The class, titled Creative Play in Tight Situations, is a collaboration between the Nursery, PSP, and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE).
Parents, children, and staff from both visiting agencies meet for songs and games to give parents low-stress, fun times with their children. Then the Nursery's staff conducts a 1½-hour class on topics such as anger management, discipline, and positive parenting, while ECFE provides art supplies and plays with the children during the group session. Family Advocates are also visit the shelter for one hour a week to provide information about Nursery services
During FY 2006, 124 parents participated in education and support groups provided by the Crisis Nursery. |
