Frequently Asked Questions
We appreciate your interest and invite you to contact us with any additional questions you may have about the Crisis Nursery and/or the services we provide.
1. What age children do you shelter?
The Crisis Nursery shelters children newborn through age six. If families have children seven or older, the Crisis Nursery refers them to Pillsbury Neighborhood Services Crisis Crisis Nursery, which places children newborn through age 12.
2. How do your clients hear about you?
Clients hear about the Crisis Nursery through the United Way's 211 call line, brochures distributed in the community, referrals from other social service agencies, and by word of mouth.
3. How often can parents use the Crisis Nursery?
Parents can place their children at the Crisis Nursery for up to 30 days per calendar year, in three day intervals. Parents who need additional assistance are eligible for the Crisis Nursery's 4th Day Program, which includes home visiting and longer-term support.
4. What do you consider a crisis?
The parents who use our services define the "crisis." The Crisis Nursery considers a crisis as any family situation that places children at risk of abuse or neglect.
5. How do you know parents aren't abusing your services?
Parents placing children at the Crisis Nursery must work with Family Advocates to set and complete goals to resolve their crisis during their children's stay.
6. Does Social Services place children here?
We have a contract with Hennepin County, which includes reserving two beds for overnight emergency placement. Primarily, parents in crisis voluntarily place their children in our care.
7. Where do you refer clients for housing, food, and clothing issues?
The Family Advocates have an extensive list of agencies/services that can assist clients with needs that cannot be met at the Crisis Nursery.
8. What do you do if you feel that it is not safe for the children to go home with the parent when they come to pick up their children?
If a Family Advocate doesn't feel comfortable when a parent arrives to pick up their children, the Advocate will approach the parent with their concerns. If the child is not being physically abused or neglected, we must release the child into the parent's custody.
9. What happens if we suspect abuse or neglect of a child?
The Crisis Nursery is mandated to report any suspected abuse or neglect to Hennepin County Community Based First Response.
10. If a report is made what happens to the children?
If there is proof that children have been abused or neglected, Hennepin County will take the children into custody. The police escort the children to St. Joseph 's Home for Children, where they remain for 72-hours while an investigation is conducted.
11. Where do you get money for your programs?
The Crisis Nursery raises 89% of its budget from private sources, which include individuals, corporations, foundations, community groups, faith communities, fundraising events, and United Way.
Government sources provide the remaining 11% of the Crisis Nursery's budget.
12. How many employees do you have?
The Crisis Nursery employs approximately 43 full-time employees, 14 part-time employees, and 14 on-call employees. A majority of the staff works in the Children's Services department, providing direct care to children. We care for children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
13. What are the qualifications of the Child Care Providers?
Our Child Care Providers (CCPs) are trained extensively in caring for at-risk children. All CCPs are certified in First Aid, CPR and SIDS within 45 days of employment at the Crisis Nursery. In addition, they obtain CEUs in such topics as children's emotional development, behavioral issues, transitions and routines, stress management, African American hair and skin care, asthma, communicable diseases and others.
14. How do staff and volunteers handle children when they "act out"?
We use accepting and non-shaming ways to re-direct the child's attention and provide alternatives to unacceptable behavior patterns.
15. Do you accept gently used clothing and toys?
The Crisis Nursery is not able to accept used donations due to health issues, storage restrictions, and lack of staff to inventory and clean used items. Please contact the Crisis Nursery and ask to speak with the Development Administrator regarding used donations.
16. Do children go to school while they are sheltered at the Crisis Nursery?
The parent has an option to make arrangements for the child to attend school while in our care. We accommodate school attendance, but cannot provide transportation. Most often, parents simply inform teachers that their children will miss school for three days. We provide an age-appropriate activities plan for the children.
|
