Idaho's Heart       PO Box 4941       Boise ID  83711       (208) 424-0943       information@idahosheart.org

We need your feedback!  To give us your ideas about a crisis nursery in Boise please click on the appropriate link below:

Organizational/Agency Survey

Public/Individual Survey

The number one project priority for Idaho's Heart is creation of a crisis center in the Boise area.  We have recruited an Advisory Committee to help develop the mission, vision, and goals of the nursery and are now working on our project plan.

Basics: The Safe Haven Crisis Nursery will provide emergency care for children when there is a possibility they may be abused or neglected due to family crisis situations.  We envision a nursery where children will receive clothing, nutritious meals, and unconditional love and attention from staff and volunteers.  The crisis nursery will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will provide services confidentially and free of charge.  The emergency respite will provide a temporary safe haven for the child while the parent or guardian seeks assistance with an emergent problem, such as substance abuse, domestic violence, or a housing, personal health, or job crisis.  Services will include provision of or referral to family support services, parent education, crisis intervention, and short-term case management to bridge the gap between crisis and successful living.

Eligible recipients are primary caregivers experiencing a crisis that may place their child(ren) in an unsafe situation. There will be no minimum requirement or cap as to age, income, status, ethnicity, etc.  We are planning on caring for children from birth to age four for up to 72 hours at a time, longer if necessary.  The crisis nursery could conceivably provide services for 1,000 children within the first twelve months (an established crisis nursery in Spokane Washington served 3,431 children in 2002.)

Mission: To provide a resource for families experiencing situational emergencies.

Vision: The Safe Haven Crisis Respite Nursery will be a safe, stimulating, warm, nurturing temporary home to serve the needs of children.  We care for children whose families are in situational emergencies and who, by virtue of those emergencies, could be at-risk. Our services will also provide temporary, short-term relief for the family or primary caregiver on a regular or as-needed basis.  In addition, we provide referrals to community resources for families and provide assistance when necessary.

Goals of the Crisis Center:

1. To fill an unmet need in the community
2. To protect our most vulnerable population – our children.
3. Reduce parental stress which can lead to harm to or death of children.
4. To assist families in attaining self-sufficiency and stability for themselves and their children.

This page was updated on 04/07/2010.
Problems or questions about this web site should be reported to: webmaster@idahosheart.org
© Copyright 2004, 2005,2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Idaho's Heart Services and Education, Inc. All rights reserved