Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect

Who we are
The Family Relief Nursery prevents child abuse and neglect by strengthening families under stress. We work with families to overcome risk factors proven to lead to instances of abuse and neglect. The Family Relief Nursery is a cornerstone in the network of services for at-risk families in South Lane and North Douglas counties. Our program has a proven record of keeping families together and and children safe.

What we do
The Family Relief Nursery provides a non-judgmental and strength-based environment that fosters social, physical and emotional growth. Our communities are small and isolated from larger cities and their social services infrastructure. Public transportation is limited. Our service area is characterized by high unemployment, many families live below the federal poverty level.

An independent evaluation found that nearly all (98.6%) children enrolled in Relief Nurseries between 2008 and 2010 avoided foster care and continued living safely with their families.

Relief Nurseries reduce the number of children in foster care. A 2011 Portland State University study found that Relief Nurseries reduce foster care placements and help children exit the foster care system twice as quickly as those not receiving services.

Relief Nurseries also enhance early literacy and increase school readiness.

How we do it
Family Relief Nursery is a member of the Oregon Association of Relief Nurseries and is evaluated by the Oregon Commission on Children and Families. It is licensed by the State Employment Department, Child Care Division, and by the State Department of Education to provide early intervention/early childhood special education services to young children.

Relief Nurseries substantially reduce family risk factors associated with child abuse and neglect. In a 2011 study, the average number of of mutable risk factors dropped from 9 to 7 in the 12 months after intake.

Our outreach is a powerful prevention tool and our strength-based, child-centered education is a successfully proven form of intervention. By utilizing these best practices we have helped more than 1,300 children and their families in South Lane County meet their development goals and reduce their risk factors since 1994.