The nursery is also working on more programming. Dewar said the nursery is focusing on staffing and personnel development and professional development. The nursery is working with the University's special education and early childhood department on its professional development. Dewar also said the nursery will be focusing more on community outreach, targeting people who have higher risk of harming their children. The nursery would like to educate people so that they know the nursery is there when things get difficult.
People have a lot of fears about letting non-family into their lives.
The Crisis Nursery was started in 1983 by citizens of Champaign-Urbana to address an issue they saw in the community. Much of the funding for the new building is credited to the community. Funding also came from Gov. George Ryan's Illinois First program. The nursery also encourages volunteering. Many of the center's volunteers are University students.