BLOOMINGTON - The scene is a familiar one in McLean County courtrooms as parents struggle to pacify young children and keep them quiet during court proceedings.

When they fail, parents walk the halls with crying babies or active toddlers and wait for attorneys to tell them what they missed inside the courtroom.

A new Children's Waiting Room offers parents a safe place to drop off their children while they take care of court-related business. The Children's Foundation will operate the facility, located in Room 305 on the third floor of the McLean County Law & Justice Center, 104 W. Front St.

Teresa Kelly, director of family services for the foundation, came across the idea of a waiting room while attending a state bar association meeting with her husband, Bloomington attorney Tim Kelly, about five years ago.

A team effort involving staff members at the foundation brought the proposal of a children's room to McLean County's legal community and county leaders. A $6,000 grant from the state bar association helped with the cost. A $4 fee collected on all civil cases filed in the county will provide an estimated $30,000 annually to help with operations.

Financial support will be required from the community to cover the ongoing costs of staff and materials needed to take care of children.

The results of the planning and hard work will be open to the public at an open house scheduled for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

The waiting area will provide short-term child care and will not be considered a daycare under state guidelines.

"We are a waiting room, not a day care center. Parents must be in the building at all times," explained Kelly.

Parents who bring their children to court hearings that involve allegations of violence on the part of a parent or caregiver may be subjecting children to the violent situation, according to The Children's Foundation staff.

"This is as much about keeping kids from being re-victimized as keeping the courtrooms quiet," said Holly Crotty, regional development manager for the foundation.

The facility will offer assistance with more than temporary child care, said Crotty. The children's room will offer information on services that are available in the community, such as domestic violence counseling.

The foundation, 403 S. State St., is part of the Children's Home + Aid Society of Chicago. The society works to alleviate poverty, abuse and neglect in children's lives.

"We hope this will start the thinking process in the community on what we are exposing our children to. We hope people will think twice before exposing children to trauma," said Kelly.

Lisa Pieper, regional vice president with The Children's Foundation, views the potential to help parents with issues in their lives as an added benefit of the room.

"It's even more exciting to think about the positive impact we can have on parents' lives," said Pieper.

The philosophy behind the waiting room follows the motto of the foundation's Crisis Nursery.

"Our philosophy is 'Home away from home," said Crotty. The nursery will help with the overflow of children who may need a place to stay during court proceedings.

Parents who leave their children for the free service will be given a restaurant-style pager to wear into the courtroom. The pager will light up to let parents and court staff know parents are needed in the waiting room. Parents are asked to bring diapers, formula and other items the child may need during their stay.

Precautions are in place to make sure children are safe in the waiting area. Security measures include identification bracelets for children and parents. The room will be staffed by licensed child-care workers and volunteers who have passed background checks.

Support for the facility has come from private donors and local government. The McLean County Board approved the use of several rooms that will accommodate children from six weeks to 12 years old.

A large TV and sound system came from the county sheriff's department, courtesy of a drug-related property seizure. Furnishings for children young enough for baby cribs to adolescents who may want to watch a movie are arranged in the rooms, which are decorated as an old-time circus. Educational toys and books for toddlers are on shelves in the largest room.

In addition to financial donations, the foundation has a wish list of items, including a personal computer and PlayStation 2 for older children and a bassinet.

To help, call project coordinator Tara Brinkoetter at (309) 834-5224.

How to help

The Children's Waiting Room wish list:

Portable playpen

New crib mattresses

PlayStation 2 and G-rated games

TV and DVD player

Diapers and baby wipes

Baby formula

Pacifiers

New toys and books

SOURCE: The Children's Foundation

GO!

What: Open house, Children's Waiting Room

When: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Room 305, third floor, McLean County Law and Justice Center, 104 W. Front St.