How Project Safe Place Works Project Safe Place provides 24 hour, 7 days a week help for children up to 18 years of age in Marion County who are in crisis or potentially dangerous situations and who may require counseling or emergency shelter care. Children can seek assistance at more than 160 Project Safe Place sites throughout the community or may call the crisis line at 317-634-KIDS. Locations are identified by yellow and black diamond-shaped Project Safe Place signs or with any of the IndyGO busses in the Indianapolis area. When a child in trouble comes to a site, employees have been trained to contact the Project Safe Place office. Project Safe Place then dispatches a screened, trained volunteer or staff member to intervene and take appropriate action, based on the individual's need. When necessary, the volunteer may transport the child to the crisis shelter where services can be provided. If transportation to the Crisis Shelter is necessary, parents are contacted by shelter staff. 634-KIDS Poster/Billboard Contest The annual 634-KIDS Poster/Billboard Contest gives 6th, 7th, and 8th graders the opportunity to create a poster for Safe Place and learn more about Safe Place services. One of the posters designed by a student is chosen as the winner and is recreated and displayed on 20 billboards throughout Marion County. The contest is targeted to public, township, and parochial schools. If your school is not involved, or you are a parent or student who participates in home schooling, feel free to contact the Safe Place Coordinator in order to obtain an application. Contact Debbie Kirk dkirk@childrensbureau.org at 317-634-KIDS for more information on the annual contest. National Project Safe Place The National Project Safe Place web site gives information about Project Safe Place sites all over the country. It also offers current national statistics about teens and about Safe Place. School Presentations and Community Events The Project Safe Place Coordinator is available to do school presentations and provide an interactive and/or informational booth at community events such as fairs or conferences. Please contact Debbie Kirk dkirk@childrensbureau.org at 317-634-KIDS if your school or community group is interested. History of Project Safe Place Project Safe Place began in Louisville, Kentucky in 1983 as an attempt to provide protection for and make shelter facilities more accessible to children up to 18 years old. The program was very successful, and now has been implemented in 33 states. In 1987, the Children's Bureau, Inc. launched this program in Marion County. There are now over 250 Project Safe Place Sites in Marion County that continue to help kids who are in crisis or potentially dangerous situations. Contact Information If you would like more information concerning Project Safe Place, please call the Project Safe Place Coordinator at 317-634-KIDS or send e-mail to Debbie Kirk at dkirk@childrensbureau.org.