In Youth Service, Inc. Success Stories, we aim to recognize clients who have overcome their hardships to find success through our programming. In this post, we are highlighting our Family Reunification program. FR promotes timely family reunification for youth ages 12-17 entering out-of-home placement for the first time due to well-being issues, such as parent/child conflict, truancy, domestic violence, behavioral health, etc. The goal is to reunify the youth and family within six months of placement. FR service coordinators navigate and advocate for the youth and families to receive appropriate services from community-based providers.
A thirteen year old female entered foster care due to her mother’s substance addiction and subpar living conditions. The youth was very angry and could not control her frustrations. The FR team was successful in securing service connections, even in this particularly challenging circumstances. For example, the FR team found a Spanish speaking therapist and inpatient treatment program for the mother who did not speak English well. The FR team also provided support and encouragement for youth’s education, and therapy. Although her mother’s addiction was a huge barrier the youth was able to reunify with her biological father. The language barriers continued to be challenging but the FR team was able to address the parent/child issues as associated with the youth’s behavior. The youth was enrolled in therapy and per communications with the school, the youth’s behavior and progress was steady. The family received concreted goods (furniture, bedding, food, clothing) and a uniform voucher. The family utilized both family reunification and aftercare services for seven months.