Program areas at CSI
Child Saving Institute operates two early childhood education programs, the early childhood education center (ecec) on the main campus at 4545 dodge street and the spellman Child development center (scdc) at the college of saint mary. Both centers serve children 6 weeks to 6 years of age. In 2023, there were 154 total children served at ecec and 152 at scdc. 19% (n=58) were from families who qualified for a low income subsidy. Of the children served 15% (n=44) received title xx or early head start, forms of low income subsidy. 100% of those discharging from ecec and 100% discharging from scdc after at least six months of service were developmentally on target.
Prevention services provides therapeutic counseling for pediatric to school-age children. Prevention services is comprised of five programs. 1) teen & young parents focuses on school aged youth that are parents themselves and helps equip them to be successful parents. 2) pediatric social work focuses on performing screening for risk factors of children 0-5 years of age and mothers of children 0-12 months of age. For individuals scoring in the "concern" range of screening, the csi social worker provides consultation to the pediatrician regarding the needs of the family. 3) kidsquad is a single point of contact for parents, childcare providers, and early childhood professionals who need assistance with the social, emotional, and behavioral challenges of children in early childhood. Kidsquad makes it a priority to support childcare centers which serve children in lowincome families. 4) the school & family enrichment (safe) is a collaboration between area school districts and non-profits serving kindergarten through middle school aged students and their families. Safe works with students and teachers to address attendance and other risk factors of students living in poverty. 5) the family empowerment program is a program focused on helping mothers of domestic violence and their children. Overall, prevention services provided direct care to 1,538 children/youth and 138 families in 2023.
Child welfare services continues to provide safe, nurturing care for children involved in the Child welfare system due to abuse and/or neglect. Child Saving Institute staff recruit, train, and support foster parents monitor foster placements and advocate for children in care to achieve permanency via reunification, adoption or guardianship. There are also a growing number of children placed in kinship homes. The children are with families who are related or otherwise known to them. Csi foster care specialists also supervise these kinship placements. In 2023, csi served a total of 117 children in the foster care system. 105 (89%) of these children were placed in traditional foster homes. 12 (11%) were in kinship care. Ninety-six percent (96%) were stable in their foster or kinship placement and had no more than one disruption. Child welfare service programming also provides independent living services for foster children who have termed out of foster care and still need assistance.
Other programs including residential and mental health services. Residential services include the emergency shelter and reception center. The emergency shelter provides 24/7 awake staff for up to 8 youth in need of temporary placement each day. Youth are generally referred by the Child welfare or juvenile justice systems. In 2023, 71 youth were served, 4 of whom were served more than once, for a total of 75 separate youth stays. The average length of stay was 40.00 days. While in the shelter, youth attend their home schools, participate in recreational activities, and maintain relationships with family members as appropriate. In 2023, 75% (n=53) of the youth were served with no incidents of violence or aggression and 98% (n=70) had no incidents of selfharming behavior. Missing youth services is a partnership with the douglas county crime commission that seeks to provide support and family benefits to youth who have run away from home. In 2023, missing youth services served 179 distinct youth.