A Family Restored

They were a family in crisis.

Shaun, 16, and his two younger brothers accumulated 47 juvenile charges and missed 61 days of school.

The parents were committed to their children, but Robin, a paramedic, developed a dependence on prescription painkillers after two on-the-job injuries. Mike, her husband, began to drink after being laid off.

The state took custody of the boys. Youth Villages Senior Family Counselor Mary Beth Bailey first worked with the parents. Robin and Mike entered rehabilitation programs. Youth Villages helped pay for Mike’s plumbing license. Robin worked as a home health aide and began college nursing courses.

Bailey helped Robin and Mike return the focus to their children and their home. They established family rules, behavior plans, structure and a reward system.

The judge returned the boys’ custody back to Robin and Mike with conditions…

“I want you to send me invitations to all three of their graduations,” he said.

Ellis Loves Home

When Angela White heard about Ellis, she knew her first family reunification case at Youth Villages would be a difficult one. It proved to be her hardest—and most rewarding one. Ellis had spent 10 years in foster care. His mother did not want to raise her son, born with autism and developmental delays. Relatives, teachers and caretakers could not handle his destructive behavior and considered him unable to live in the community. He was too aggressive, they said, and needed to be watched constantly. Still, Angela, a Youth Villages intensive in-home counselor, had hope. Angela did a family search. Ellis’ cousin, Tiffany Young, said she’d give the 17-year-old a try. Together, Angela and Tiffany worked on a consistent behavior plan with rewards and consequences. Over time, Ellis’ behaviors mellowed. After 10 years in foster care, Ellis finally returned to his family. He loves being home. Home to Ellis is “my blue house” with “my Tiffany.”