Home / Who We Serve / Abuse & Neglect / Emergency Shelter
A young pensive woman outdoors

Emergency Shelter

Over 1,700 children and youth aged newborn to 18 are brought to WCH each year by law enforcement due to situations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and human trafficking.

Younger children (newborn to 12) live with one of our emergency foster care families, while teens (13 to 18) stay in our on-site residential home. We are committed to ensuring their safety and well-being while the Kansas Department for Children and Families (KDCF) conducts its investigation.

Our residential center for children located at 7271 E. 37th St. N., and our foster care homes are open 24/7 to care for children in crisis. See the types of admissions below.

Types of Admission

Icon depicting a badge with a star

Law Enforcement Admissions & Referral Services

  • For children who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, and/or human trafficked.
  • Length of stay is up to 72 hours in police protective custody (excluding holidays and weekends).
  • KDCF and law enforcement conduct an investigation and formulate a plan for the child.
Icon depicting a child and parent holding hands

Voluntary Admissions

  • We are here for families experiencing a crisis and needing temporary care for their children.

Project Safe Place

Area QuikTrip® stores serve as a Safe Place 24 hours a day for children and youth who are in crisis, runaway, or are without a place to stay.
We're here for you. Any time. Day or night. Call our hotline at (316) 262-HOME.