Services

24-Hour care and material support for children ages 0-12 for families in stressful situations

Childcare Program

Free confidential care for children ages 0-12 available 24 hours for up to a maximum of 72 hours at a time. The free care can be used 30 days within a calendar year. We follow a 1:3 caregiver to child ratio within a safe and loving home. We can have a maximum of 6 children at one time. Our caregivers are trained, background check certified and use best practices.

Family Advocate Program

Parents who use the Ivy House for their children may participate in our family advocate program. Parents meet with a family advocate 1 to 1 when they drop off their child. The family advocate will work with them to get connected with other programs in our community that can help them. Upon picking up their child the family advocate will meet with them once again to assess their needs going forward.

Clothing and Essential Needs Program

Ivy House is able to distribute donated items such as clothing, diapers and other essential items to families who use our services.

Admissions Criteria

Ivy House is a 24 hour care facility that operates 365 days a year. Children who meet the following criteria may stay at Ivy House up to 72 hours at a time, up to 30 days in a calendar year.

Child must be between the ages of newborn to twelve years
The family must be willing to meet with an advocate and complete intake paperwork, including a care plan with a minimum of one goal.
Child's family must be undergoing a some type of stressful situation. You define what is stressful. 
Child must not require a handicap accessible home
Ivy House will accept children with physical or emotional limitations as long as the child does not require hospitalization, nursing care, injected medications, or major tranquilizers.
Ivy House has childcare workers available to meet a 1:3 staffing ratio with children present.
Providing care to the child will not endanger other children or staff at Ivy House
Providing care to the child will not endanger the property of the crisis nursery
Meets the requirements of the Ivy House sick policy for children
Sick Care Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does Ivy House serve?

Anyone who calls and asks for help with taking care of their children due to a stressful situation. This could be anything from needing a self-care day to dealing with domestic abuse. Children ages 0-12 can stay at Ivy House

How do I contact the Ivy House about having my child come?

Call our crisis line 507-766-6925 for 24/7 access to help.

How long can children stay at Ivy House?

A child can stay for 1 hour or up to 72 hours at a time and for a total of 30 days in a year.

How many children can stay at Ivy House at one time?

We can have a up to six children at a time with a caregiver to child ratio of 1:3.

What is the cost for families to use Ivy House?

NONE! This is a free service to families. We are a non-profit organization supported by donations and grants!

Is Ivy House part of Brown County Human Services?

No. Ivy house is an independent organization that works directly with children to reduce stress and give families resources to succeed. Like all organizations that work with children in Minnesota, we are required to report suspected abuse and neglect.