The Crisis Child Care Program offers safe shelter for children in during times of family crisis. Care is provided in the homes of experienced and trained providers. Short-term Respite Care may be scheduled to assist families when parents need care to go to therapy, attend parenting classes, or other circumstances determined on an individual basis. All care is dependent on the availability of providers.
The Crisis Child Care Program was initiated in 1989 and has been helping Linn County children and families since 1990. In January of 2008, the program expanded into Jones County. From the beginning, the Crisis Child Care Program has been a collaborative effort. Crisis Child Care is funded through a grant from Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, is sponsored by Linn Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and is administered by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP). Crisis Child Care receives additional support from United Way of East Central Iowa, The Iowa Respite and Crisis Child Care Coalition, and The Homeless Children's Trust. The Crisis Child Care Program also depends on contributions from individuals, churches, clubs, organizations, foundations, corporations, and United Way of East Central Iowa.
The Crisis Child Care and Respite Programs are free of charge to Linn and Jones County families, regardless of income.
What is a Crisis?
A crisis situation may include:
- Domestic abuse
- Medical emergencies
- Housing Problems
- Death in the family
- High levels of stress
The Crisis Child Care Program will NOT meet the following needs:
- Child Care so parents can go to work, attend school, go on a job search/interview, or for a "night on the town"
- Children with contagious illness/diseases
Together with CCR&R, Head Start, Early Head Start, PACES and the Quality Early Childhood Environments, HACAP works to address the growing needs of young children.