We provide 24/7 loving care for children newborn through age 12 in the safe, homelike environment of our Crisis Nurseries.
Providence House provides emergency shelter and crisis care to babies and children whose families are experiencing crisis for up to 90 days. We are licensed by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth and serve up to 20 children at a time on our West Campus in Ohio City, and our East Campus in the Buckeye-Shaker Neighborhood.
During their stay, children receive trauma-informed care focused on their social, emotional, and physical well-being and educational enrichment, and—most significantly—unconditional love.
Providing a Warm Welcome
When a child arrives at Providence House, they receive a Welcome Suitcase filled with five to seven sets of new clothing, two pairs of new pajamas, personal hygiene items, shoes, a cozy handmade blanket, books, toys, and a snuggly teddy bear to help them feel comfortable during their stay. Each child takes the clothing and other items they have received home with them!
Meeting Essential Needs
Each child admitted to Providence House receives their own bed or crib, personal storage areas, and a nutritious diet of three meals and three healthy snacks per day. Children follow a daily schedule that includes personal care, playtime, and educational lessons, nap or rest times, and bedtime to assist with their transition to our structured environment and reduce the impact of trauma experienced during the crisis that initiated their stay with us.
Ensuring Trauma-Informed Care
We operate in a trauma-informed care environment that provides emotional and physical safety to our children and families at all times. Virtually all of the children who stay at Providence House have NOT been abused or neglected, but most children have experienced some level of trauma as a result of the crises their family is experiencing. Trained Childcare Staff provide activities designed to alleviate trauma symptoms during a child’s stay through our daily curriculum, supported by interventions from our Social Work Team.
Helping Children Thrive
Children who stay in our Crisis Nurseries are cared for by an excellent staff of highly trained Early Childcare Professionals, Licensed Social Workers, and Volunteers.
Our staff plans daily lessons, activities, and community field trips to enhance each child’s early learning skills, reinforce developmental milestones, focus on school readiness, and provide children with positive exposure to their community.
NUTURING CHILDREN THROUGH CARE
Every child is assigned their own Childcare Provider on each shift to reinforce attachment and bonding and provide the individual nurturing that children need during their temporary, short-term separation from their parents or guardians.
Maintaining Community Connections
Our goal is to keep every child as connected to their community and family as possible, so we take them to and from their regular school, daycare, and/or appointments, and link them to any new services and supports as close as possible to their own communities so they can easily remain engaged with these services after they leave us.
Enhancing Children's Development
Children receive evidence-based developmental assessments, administered by our Social Workers. Based on the results, our Social Workers then develop an activity plan to target growth in areas where the child is not performing at the expected level. Children may also be referred to community agencies that can provide ongoing intervention and support.
Speech, hearing, physical, developmental, and emotional therapies are delivered on-site by licensed qualified professionals as needed.
Healthy Living Skills
Each day, the children we serve practice healthy living skills appropriate to their age and development. Childcare workers provide many opportunities for children to successfully practice skills related to personal care, nutrition, and self-soothing.
Medical Care & Monitoring
Providence House provides pediatric medical triage assessment services when children first arrive to stay with us. Within five business days of their arrival, each child also receives a well-child exam in our Pediatric Clinic. Our staff schedule specialty off-site appointments, sick-child visits, or emergency visits as needed. When possible, the child’s parents or guardians are encouraged to participate in any special medical appointments.