In the Employee Spotlight we aim to recognize a Youth Service, Inc. employee making an impact in the communities we serve. Tiearra Sampson is a Family Reunification Service Coordinator at Youth Service, Inc.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I am a graduate of Ben Franklin High School where I participated in many activities. Among my favorites was cheer leading, Junior Rotc and a psecial program that tutored and advocated for children in the community. I’ve been in child and youth services for the past 10 years. Prior to working for YSI, I worked as a Department of Human Services (DHS) intake investigator with the Community Umbrella Agency-CUA 8, Bethanna. YSI has been my best move thus far!
Q: How long have you been working at YSI and it what program(s)?
I have been with the agency for almost 3 months. Currently, I hold the position of Family Reunification Service Coordinator. Family Reunification is a new program to YSI and is part of Youth Emergency Service. The goal of the program is to reunite, where possible, young people who are first time into the child welfare system. We engage with the parents right away to support the work needed for reunification.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges faced by you working in these programs?
I believe the biggest challenge in any position in attempting to keep families together is having the families cooperate because of their lack of understanding of the process. Many families believe child welfare services sole purpose is to remove children. However, if they understood the benefits of programs such as ours, I think they would be a little more enthusiastic in allowing us to help.
Q: What do you do to overcome these challenges?
I try to be as transparent and realistic with the youth and parents as possible so they understand that this services is only here to get to the root of the issue and provide solutions.
Q: What is one of your favorite success stories during your time at YSI?
I haven’t been with YSI long enough to see my cases through as of yet, however I have high hopes that my cases will end in reunification of the family. Also hearing my colleague’s success stories give me great hope that I’ll have some of the same great outcomes.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working in this program and at YSI?
What I enjoy most is the work culture and how YSI allows employees to work freely, also there is great support from my supervisor, Nitah Dunham and co-worker Kiara Williams.