It's a full house at the Sacramento Crisis Nursery. "All 14 beds are full," said nursery director Sue Bonk.

The nursery, located in Sacramento near the edge of Carmichael, houses children ranging in age from infants to 5-year-olds.

An increasing number of children are spending as long as 30 days at the nursery as an emergency measure while their parents resolve critical issues. They may face domestic violence, substance abuse, homelessness or any of numerous other crises that threaten families.

The number of parents using the nursery's new daytime respite-care program also is on the rise. The program gives parents time to run errands, make appointments or deal with unexpected crises.

"More people are having emergencies because of the economy," Bonk said.

On a recent day, one mother used the day program so she could take a class on restraining orders, another to attend counseling and a third to go to a job interview. Still another needed time to look for housing.

"These are people who may need a break," Bonk said of the day program users, who typically are single mothers.

In July 2007, when the day program began, the occupancy rate was 41 percent. In April, the rate was almost 80 percent, Bonk said.

The nursery can accommodate six children in the day program and up to 14 for overnight stays.

In August 2007, the occupancy rate for the overnight program was 79 percent. Last month, nearly all 14 beds were filled, and families were being turned away.

"We are getting more and more families that don't have a place to live," Bonk said of the crisis nursery, which is the only facility of its kind in Sacramento County.

One family who lost a Bay Area home to foreclosure moved to Sacramento, thinking housing would be cheaper, but it wasn't, Bonk said.

"The lack of support systems and the economy are bringing people to the nursery," she said.

"The homeless shelters and transitional housing are all full, and there are waiting lists for both," Bonk said.

"It is only going to get worse," she said of the approaching winter.

Yet, donations to the nursery have declined.

"Our storage for food has been the lowest it has been in 12 years," Bonk said.

"Our donations are going down while the need gets greater. It is a vicious cycle."

About 18 months ago, the nursery was awarded a $1.9 million grant, to be spread over three years. Another primary source of funding for the nursery is the $43,500 a year it has received from United Way.

"We are not guaranteed funding," Bonk said of the nursery's future, which operates under the umbrella of the Sacramento Children's Home.

One thing the nursery can rely upon is the good will of some people and groups, such as the Soroptimists International of Greater Sacramento, a service club mainly comprised of businesswomen from the Carmichael area.

Beginning last month, two to 12 women came early each morning to paint colorful images on a wall facing the children's play area at the nursery.

"I came up with the design for Old MacDonald's Farm," said Joyce Willow.

Stretching nearly 65 feet in length, the 7-foot-high wall has been covered with painted farm animals, including roosters, chickens, cows, lambs and horses.

"They all work together. They are bright and cheery," Willow said of the painted figures.

"It is meant to be uplifting for the children," she said.

"We want the children to have a pleasant and happy experience while they are there," Willow said.

For more details about the nursery, go to its Web site, crisisnurseryonline.com.

Call The Bee's Ramon Coronado, (916) 321-1013.