Outcomes & Successes

A Success Story

This is a real success story. The reality is in the fact that there was nothing magical about the services offered, no mysterious metamorphosis. This success is a result of a lot of hard work on the part of the client and the staff.

Mary and her three children came to the Family Networks Early Intervention and Prevention Services four years ago. They had come and gone three times and this was the fourth programming session for the family. Mary had lost and regained custody of her three children a few times. Mary has been chemically dependent, actively using, participating in chemical dependency treatment, participating in after-care treatment and been chemically free at different times during her history with us. Mary has a mental health diagnosis and a history of being involved in abusive relationships with men and has had much to overcome.

With this last admit Mary committed herself to making the big changes in her life that Family Networks was promoting. She didn’t learn any new information that she hadn’t been exposed to during her previous admits but this time was able to hear it. Mary was able to make changes because the time was right and she had the support of staff; she wanted to make changes for herself. Early Intervention and Prevention Services staff encouraged her and her self determination got her through the program successfully. Today, Mary has custody of her three children and has been released from monitoring by child protection. She is chemically free and her mental illness is well managed. She is employed and supporting her family. Her children are in school and doing well. They are happy children with good social skills. All members of this family are feeling better about themselves and demonstrate this in their interactions with those around them.

Success has come for Mary because she was ready and Family Networks Early Intervention and Prevention Services was available, supportive and patient. The best part of this success story is that these are huge changes for Mary that will help to make her future, and that of her children, very bright.

Outpatient Services

This family, single mom with 10 and 4 year old boys, successfully completed treatment by making good progress on their goals and objectives. The 10 year old was the major reason for the referral because of oppositional, defiant and aggressive behaviors. Both children had attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. Mom was able to develop age appropriate rules and discipline techniques for her children with ADHD and demonstrate and report consistent follow through. Family members were able to develop a variety of positive coping strategies to deal with their feelings of sadness, hurt, anger and depression. The child was able to accept responsibility for his stealing and lying behavior and to verbalize ways to stop himself from engaging in such activities. The school and Mom reported no recent stealing incidents. Mom was able to seek out services such as individual therapy and a psychiatrist for her son and herself to deal with past abuse and depression and ADHD symptoms. Communication with the school was maintained and Mom attended all meetings. Though self-contained special education for EBD was considered, the identified client remained in Setting II Special Ed staying in the classroom with some special help after treatment ended.

A Parent Speaks

Dear Family Networks,

I’m sure you have been told before “thank you” for your help, but that doesn’t ever begin to tell you what your efforts have meant to our family.

When my child came to you she was a wreck. To say she has come a long way in the past year is an understatement. She has learned a lot from all of you because you have taken the time to see what she needs. Thank you for all you have done.