The Crisis Nursery is open to parents or
legal guardians of children (newborns through six years of age)
who reside in Peoria, Woodford and Tazewell, Ill., counties. The child who
stays in our Crisis Nursery is safe, well cared for and comforted for up to
72 hours (and, in special circumstances, for even longer periods). The
child’s parents are likewise supported by a caring environment in which they
may ask for—and receive—help.
There are many reasons why families look to the Crisis Nursery:
parental stress or other form of home crisis; medical care needed by
another child in the family; domestic violence; mental health issues;
homelessness. Whatever the reason, when a child comes to our Crisis Nursery,
family stress is reduced…and the potential for child abuse or neglect is
abated.
During
their Crisis Nursery stay, children enjoy a safe haven filled with loving
attention, nutritious food, possibly clothing, and most certainly bedtime
stories and lullabies.
Parents, too, receive attention through in- take interviews and follow-up
visits to help address their particular needs. Sometimes the Crisis Nursery
can address these needs with a free short-term supply of disposable diapers
and baby formula. In more urgent situations, the Crisis Nursery puts parents
in touch with other agencies, food banks, counseling services and shelters
that can help families get the support they need to stay together long-term.
Home visits and follow-up calls to all parents after every Crisis Nursery
stay ensure that families get connected to vital community resources.
The need for Crisis Nursery services is growing. During FY
2004, the year that Crittenton Centers opened its downtown Peoria facility,
the Crisis Nursery had 3,505 admissions and served 440 children. In FY 2009,
the Crisis Nursery’s admissions totaled 4,174 with 725 children
served (see the chart below). These figures illustrate both the Crisis
Nursery’s success in responding to public need…and the increasing need for
these services in our community.
|
Fiscal Year (July 1—June 30) |
Admissions |
Number of Children Served |
|
2003 |
3,144 |
440 |
|
2004 |
3,505 |
457 |
|
2005 |
3,577 |
555 |
|
2006 |
3,685 |
593 |
|
2007 |
3,860 |
604 |
| 2008 |
4280 |
696 |
| 2009 |
4174 |
725 |
To reach the
Crisis Nursery, call (309)
674-4125
(24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
Crisis
Nursery Wish List
The circumstances of families
who come to the Crisis Nursery sometimes involve parents with low incomes
who simply cannot afford any “extras.” So, we want to send their children
home with much-needed supplies, such as those listed below. Our Crisis
Nursery facility needs items, too. Please help by fulfilling one or more of
our “wishes”. Your in-kind donations will be gratefully accepted at
Crittenton Centers during our business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00am to
4:30pm. For more information, please click on:
Donation
Crisis Nursery Coalition of Illinois
.JPG)