Response-Ability Pregnant & Parenting Program shelter staff established guidelines to help residents become more effective parents. The State of Illinois mandated many of our guidelines. All of our guidelines reflect the value we place on non-violence and respect for others.

Parenting residents must attend to their children at all times. Any punishment for behavioral problems must be addressed without physical discipline or verbal abuse. Any interaction a child has with another resident must be by permission only and supervised by the parent.

A child’s bedtime is a quiet time for mothers and children to spend together. Getting ready for bed includes a final bottle or nursing, if needed, a nightly bath, brushing or wiping teeth according to age, and reading a story, talking or singing quietly.