About the Nurseries

The Sacramento Crisis Nurseries focus on young children, ages 0-5, because they are believed to be the greatest at risk for abuse and neglect. Parents coming to the nurseries are mostly single mothers who have few or no skills to cope with crises and stressful situations in their lives. These women are often victims of violence and abuse. Many are impacted by alcohol and drug abuse, severe mental health problems, poverty, homelessness and isolation. Respite is also available to fathers, grandparents raising their grandchildren, foster parents, and other families in need of a break in their stressful lives.

Children are provided developmentally and culturally appropriate activities in a caring and nurturing setting and have access to medical services as needed. The Case Manager assists parents to address the issues affecting the well being of their family through counseling, access to community resources and support; to develop new skills and self reliance; and to create an environment that protects the health and safety of their children.

"They take care of the kids when no one else is around." -- Sharon, Parent

Thank you for having such a nice place for Elijah when my life was in such shambles" -- Judy, Parent

The first Sacramento Crisis Nursery was planned and developed in 1989 as a partnership of the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Sacramento, Inc., the Junior League of Sacramento and the Sacramento Children's Home.

Through the efforts of dedicated individuals, local businesses, community-based organizations, public agencies, private foundations and other donors, the Sacramento Crisis Nursery opened in South Land Park in 1996. Because the Nursery was often filled to capacity and many families had to be turned away, Sacramento Children's Home opened the Sacramento Crisis Nursery North in July 2002. The nurseries have served over 2300 children and their families.

Sacramento Crisis Nurseries have an excellent reputation with parents who utilize the services as evidenced by the fact that the Nurseries are always full and by positive responses to exit interviews and surveys.

According to a parent survey in 2003, "Over 40 percent of parents felt that their children would have likely been placed in foster or out-of-home care if they had not been able to count on the Crisis Nursery North to provide a safe place for their children."

Sacramento Crisis Nurseries have formed partnerships with many public and private family service agencies throughout Sacramento County to create a network of referrals, services and resources for families during and after their stay at the Nursery. Parents are referred from and to services such as drug treatment, housing, health care, mental health, parent training, childcare, and domestic violence prevention. These organizations provide services to Nursery clients, refer their families, and advocate for needed policies and services affecting families.

Sacramento Crisis Nurseries have strong affiliations with service organizations, including Soroptimists, Junior League of Sacramento, Child Abuse Prevention Council, Rotary, Lions, and the faith based community. Through these organizations the Nurseries receive monetary support, donated services and volunteers.

Emerging Practices in the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, prepared by Caliber Associates for the Office of Child Abuse and Neglect, Department of Health and Human Services identified the Sacramento Crisis Nurseries as a "Program with Noteworthy Aspects" in the "Effective Programs Category." The report states that the Crisis Nurseries are well-connected and integrated with child protective services without stigmatizing families, fill an immediate need for families who are in crisis, and integrate respite care with parenting skills training and case management services.