Emergency Shelter
Safe, temporary housing for youth placements
There are more than 8,000 Massachusetts children in need of foster care. The need for placements far exceed the limited number of foster homes available throughout our communities, leaving children in limbo with nowhere permanent to go. Kennedy-Donovan Center continues to respond to address these needs in partnership with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Program Overview
KDC’s Emergency Shelter program provides immediate, temporary shelter for youth in DCF custody who are removed from their homes (for their safety) with no where to go. The fully furnished home in New Bedford, MA offers night-to-night placements where KDC’s direct support staff provide oversight and daily living assistance to the youths in the home, as needed.
Our Difference
KDC accommodates temporary placement of foster youths with group housing for nights and weekends
Services We Offer
Emergency Shelter provides temporary placement support to foster care youths in DCF custody. The fully furnished home includes four bedrooms, accommodating up to five foster youths at a time. Daytime staff provide comprehensive direct support for day-to-day needs, including:
- On-site supervision between the hours of 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m. during weekdays, and 24 hours for weekends and holidays
- Transportation to school, medical appointments, and other needs
- Provision of breakfast and dinner on weekdays and all meals and snacks on weekends and holidays
- Coordination of on-site and off-site visitation and contact with family members
- Behavior support and management as needed
- Access to emergency medical and behavioral health services as needed
- Assistance with homework, and engaging recreational activities as needed
Who We Support
Emergency Shelter is a closed referral program, supporting youths ages 12-18 who are in DCF custody. Eligible placements are made exclusively in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
Staff Excellence
KDC serves as a collaborative partner in the journeys of foster care youths. We leverage our extensive clinical and community expertise to support their development at every stage to help them reach their full potential.