Accessing Services at Safe Harbor
You can download the Accessing Services Brochure
In an emergency or crisis, children should stay with a trusted family member or friend who is already familiar with their needs. Someone that they already know provides a sense of security and safety in troubled times. The adult must have no history of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, a clean criminal background, and be free of addictive behaviors. If you are in crisis and are unable to find a safe place for your children, please call our emergency line at 374-4901.
Because every child deserves a safe harbor...
| Priorities For Service At Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Top Priority | Medium Priority | Lower Priority |
| Emergency Hospitalization | Family Support for Post Partum
Depression |
Critical Counseling |
| Incarceration | Family Support for Substance Abuse
Programs |
Court Attendance |
| Admittance by Law Enforcement | Family Support for Victims of Domestic Violence | Critical Medical Appointments |
| Removal by Child Protective Services | Family Support for Court Mandated Programs | Childcare Emergencies Resulting in Potential Job Loss |
| Mental Illness | Respite for Stressful Situations | |
| Immanent Danger | Family Education Programs | |
| Family Support Appointments |
How Do I Access Services At Safe Harbor?
Emergency Services:
If you are having a crisis or emergency in your life and need immediate care for your children, call the emergency line at 374-4901, 24 hours a day. If you call the crisis line after regular business hours, please leave a detailed message (i.e. "I am in a domestic violence situation; my husband has been taken to jail; I am on my way to the hospital, and I need care for my 2 children ages 2 and 6 years. My cell phone number is 555-5555.") Please speak slowly when leaving your contact telephone number. The case manager on call will respond within 10 minutes. . Remove any blocks on your phone. Be prepared to answer your phone at that time. Let the case manager know if your children have ever been to the crisis nursery in the past. The case manager will ask questions about your circumstances and help you make arrangements to bring your children to Safe Harbor. The staff does not transport children but may be able to help you find a solution.
Non-emergency Services:
If you need supportive service based on secondary or low priority issues, please call 374-4902 between 8:30am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. You can leave a non-emergency message on the business line 374-4902 after 4:00pm or before 8:30am or on Saturday or Sunday. Someone will respond to your message as soon as possible on the next business day. During business hours, the telephone may be answered by any of the staff or volunteers in the building. Please ask for a case manager. If the case manager is unavailable, you will be asked for your name, telephone number, and the number and ages of your children. The case manager will respond as soon as she is able. Please be prepared to respond to some simple questions about your circumstances so that the case manager can determine the best way to provide services to your family.
Some FAQ's
Is the crisis nursery a drop-in daycare?
No. Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery is an emergency respite center and a group receiving center licensed by the State of Washington.
Who can come to Safe Harbor?
Children birth to age 8 may come to the crisis nursery. Older siblings up to age 12 may stay if younger siblings are present.
What are your licensing requirements?
The state requires that 2 adults be present at all times and that a ratio of one adult for every four children be maintained.
How does the case manager decide who can bring their children for care?
The case manager assesses every situation and prioritizes each case. The highest priorities are the first on the list. If there is room available for lower priorities they are accepted on a case by case basis until the crisis nursery is full.
Why do you ask so many personal questions?
The case manager needs to know as much as possible about the children in our care and the circumstances in their family so that we can provide the best possible service to everyone.
Why can't I just drop by with my children?
Because of the expense of providing service, we staff the crisis nursery for the number of children we are expecting each day. Slots are kept open for emergency clients at all times. If you "drop by" we may not be able to help you.