Emergency Youth Shelters

Child Saving Institute has provided emergency shelter and supportive care for children during family crises since our inception in the late 1890’s. Today, with emergency youth shelters in Omaha, NE and Council Bluffs, IA, we offer short-term, therapeutic care for children and teens in crisis, helping them stabilize and move toward a brighter future.

Our Approach

The focus in our Emergency Youth Shelters is always on therapeutic care with individualized service plans that emphasize strengths, identify achievable goals and celebrate small successes. Goals are developed in collaboration with each youth’s probation officer and/or state caseworker to ensure continuity and progress. 

While in our care, children and youth receive: 

• Weekly individual and group therapy sessions 
• Daily programming and life skills development opportunities 
• Educational services through home schools or on-site classrooms 
• Opportunities for recreation and special outings 
• Medication management services, when necessary  

Children are encouraged to participate in chores, family-style meals and engage in group activities. Visits with family members are supported whenever possible, and staff facilitate transportation to school and medical appointments. 

Our Shelters

Omaha Emergency Youth Shelter
Serving youth up to age 19 (primarily teen males), this shelter provides crisis stabilization and transitional care. With 16 individual bedrooms, each youth has dedicated personal space and much needed recreational space within our facility. The average length of stay is 30–45 days, with the goal of helping youth safely return home or transition to a permanent placement successfully and prevent future stays at the shelter.  

Council Bluffs Youth Shelter
Serving children from birth through age 17, our shelter on CSI’s Children’s Square Campus provides protective placement and short-term care for children and teens experiencing homelessness, family conflict, or other crises. The shelter can accommodate up to 10 children at a time, serving both males and females. We typically serve youth ages 9–15, and the average length of stay is approximately 45–60 days, ensuring each child receives stability and support during a critical period. 

Accessing Services
Admission to either shelter requires a referral from: 

• State child welfare agencies 
• Juvenile Court Services 
• Law enforcement 

Both shelters operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are designed to provide crisis stabilization, safety and transitional services so children and youth can successfully return home or move to another permanent placement successfully.  

Additional questions? Please Contact Us or call 402.553.6000.