Emergency shelters specialize in short-term care characterized by the unpredictable conditions of many admissions, diversity of population, and the intensity of the work environment. The youth who is placed in an emergency shelter may be experiencing guilt, shame, anger, rejection, and a host of other emotions. The placement of one or more of their children in a shelter will almost certainly have a tremendous impact upon the parents' self-image as well as on the general functioning of the family unit. The major goals of emergency shelter work include setting a positive tone for parent-helper interactions, advocating extensive parental involvement in the care and treatment of their child throughout placement, and educating the family on the social service network which is caring for their child. 4 references. (Author abstract modified)