The Success Factor that Fills Me with Hope

One day last week during spring break, I noticed a tall, lanky young man walking along the driveway to the outdoor plaza accompanied by one of our therapists. I recognized him as one of our former residents, and was pleased I would have the opportunity to greet him before I headed off to an appointment.

In the months since he’d left Hillsides to live in a foster home at age 13, I’d heard that his return to the community had been challenging for him.  Like many of our residents he can be impulsive, single-minded, and easily misunderstood. His foster mom is a very unassuming woman who is consistent, patient, and very understanding, but in spite of her support he found himself being disruptive in school and was eventually expelled. At one point his behavior required the involvement of the local police department and he was referred to the juvenile justice system. As I would hear reports of how things had spiraled out of control for him, I worried for his well-being and what would become of him in the long- term.

So I was thrilled to see him. He looked good, and engaged easily in our conversation.  I was happy to learn that in spite of his recent challenges, he is now back with his foster mom, attending school, and no longer under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system.

It is not uncommon for children and youth who have been in treatment to experience setbacks.  However, with proper attention and care, those setbacks can be mitigated and gains restored. This youth’s visit to Hillsides to check in with his long- time therapist was just one way that he reconnected with the progress he had made while in our program. It was also an opportunity for him to know that no matter what, he was welcome here and would always be supported.

I remember speaking to him while he was living at Hillsides.  I can still hear his plea to find a family where he could belong. Both he and his sister had lost their biological parents to addiction and severe mental illness. After considerable effort, he was fortunate to find a wonderful foster parent who was willing to support him despite the challenges.

Studies show that the most decisive factor in the success of foster children is having at least one adult who can be a consistent presence in their lives.  In spite of the horror stories that trigger our outrage of children abused and neglected in the foster care system, it is heartening to know that there are wonderful foster parents who, without much fanfare, serve as an indispensable refuge for such youth. It is within such a home that dreams of happiness and success are nourished and can be fulfilled.  This fills me with hope about the future of this youth, and I look forward to catching up with him the next time he returns for a visit. 

Why this maintenance failure is making headlines

The recent headline in the Los Angeles Times said it all: “Plight of 2 toddlers puts spotlight on L.A. County family program.” The lead identified toddlers found wandering the busy streets of South LA, hungry, dirty and neglected, mom oblivious to their absence, and the subject of the Department of Children and Family Services’ efforts to help maintain her family. How could this be?

There is a philosophical approach in child welfare practice that, all things being equal, values family unity.  As a result, there is an emphasis to assist families where there may be evidence of abuse or neglect to address their dysfunction and rebuild a stable home. In many instances the interventions employed to achieve this worthy goal are less traumatic for the child and family, leverage the good will and intention of the parents and larger family unit, and lead to a long-term stable environment. One such program is DCFS’ Family Maintenance, which the mother of the toddlers was enrolled in.  However, while this approach may be less intrusive and relatively inexpensive than removing a child and securing him or her in a foster or group home, it is nevertheless a very labor-intensive approach.  It requires expertly trained social workers and other professionals who need to make the successful restoration of a family their exclusive focus.

Assuming the accuracy of the Los Angeles Times article, clearly this mom was not a good candidate for this program. Given her struggles, she needed support beyond what was available. Somehow, insufficient assessments led to a poor judgment about the kind of care required to keep her children safe. As a result these impressionable toddlers have been traumatized and their safety jeopardized. Disaster was averted not by an expert social worker, a veteran social service administrator, or a gargantuan child welfare system but because of an observant bystander who could not walk away from the plight of these two toddlers in need.

As DCFS Director Philip Browning is quoted as saying in the Los Angeles Times, “Something didn’t work here.”  Given the DCFS fact sheet states there are more than 13,800 children in this program, the chances are that there are a number of other cases like this one where, no matter the good intentions of the County, the end result is that children are being neglected, the risk of abuse is significant, and children’s long-term well-being is being sacrificed.  What is being done to assure that the other children in this program are not subjected to the same trauma?

Immediate action is called for. Without knowing how DCFS has responded to this outcry, a number of strategies should be engaged: 

• All cases in the Family Maintenance program should be reviewed, and a rigorous assessment made as to the family’s appropriateness for this particular service. 
• Social workers involved in this program should be engaged to identify the supports and structures needed to effectively render services to children and families in this program. 
• A heightened sense of vigilance and urgency should prevail until all these cases are reviewed and appropriate treatment determined. 
• Additional resources may need to be employed to conduct this review in a timely fashion.

This process should be conducted in a transparent way, providing the public assurances that these tragedies will be avoided.

In 30 years working in the child welfare system I have rarely met a parent or family who cannot be engaged to assure the well-being of their child. That being said, we must not be naïve.  The challenges faced by these families are great and the efforts of those who serve them and their children are significant. For all parties involved, this must be an exclusive commitment driven by a desire and hope to see children thrive and be successful. However, the effort is well worth it. At Hillsides, our staff joins with families to accompany them through a difficult journey characterized not only by challenges and heartbreak but also by breakthroughs and achievement. It requires constant attention, diligent, consistent care, and an overall belief that hope can be restored.

We eagerly await not only whatever actions DCFS will introduce to address the failure of the Family Maintenance program but also the findings of the Blue Ribbon Commission appointed by the County Supervisors to review the county child welfare system. Regardless of the findings, I suggest that the remedy to DCFS’ woes has mostly to do with the lack of resources needed to implement the well-intended programs.  More than anything else there is no substitute for well-prepared, experienced workers who have the resources necessary to effectively intervene in the lives of the most vulnerable members of our community like the two toddlers found wandering the street.

A Celebration of Art

This past Saturday night, on February 22, Hillsides threw its Annual Gala, “A Celebration of Art” at the iconic Langham Huntington, Pasadena.   This extraordinary evening was very successful, raising over $450,000 for our programs and services.

During the evening, 375 guests were treated to fine dining, entertainment, dancing, and a chance to bid on a wide array of items.  Unique to this gala, and in honor of its theme, we auctioned more than a dozen art works, including ones by noted New York artist Paul Gerben as well as by several local talented artists.  The gala also recognized that at heart, Hillsides is an artist as we work to transform children’s pain and trauma into hope and healing.

The evening would not have been successful without the tremendous efforts of the gala chair, Susan Pinsky.   We are most appreciative of her hard work and support, and that of her entire committee.   Also lending support was her husband, Dr. Drew Pinsky, who spoke during the evening and reminded the attendees of Hillsides’ mission to create lasting change in the lives of children and families.

I also want to thank Fritz Coleman, our emcee of the live auction, who helped us raise almost $70,000 on that one portion of the evening.   And I would not want to leave out our talented and tireless director of development, Carrie Espinoza, the entire Advancement Service staff, the legion of volunteers, and the many sponsors who made this gala possible.    A round of applause to all of you.

What follows is a video we presented at the event .  It was truly wonderful to see all of you who attended, and for those who couldn’t, we hope to see you at next year’s gala and you can still make an impact by making a gift.

Excited for music

The other day while visiting the playing field I was introduced to a resident I had not met before. He was understandably shy but welcomed the opportunity to greet me. He was holding a blank piece of paper and I asked what it was for. He explained that it was for a project he was doing and did not seem eager to offer any details. A while later while I was talking to a member of our recreation staff, the same resident approached me this time with some lyrics on the paper, explaining his excitement about recording these lyrics to some music he had selected. The staff member encouraged him and shared with him the details of the upcoming recording session. He lit up at the thought of being able to record his lyrics to music.

I can’t wait to hear what will come of the recording session. A shy, seemingly vulnerable boy finally gets a chance to express himself…priceless. Of course, all this has little to do with the final product, but rather the importance of the experience itself.  More than anything else, it is essential for him to know that he can say what he thinks and feels, his voice will be heard and respected, and what he has to say is important. For youngsters, whose sense of worth has been compromised by indifference if not neglect, an opportunity to express themselves can be transformational.

The arts program at Hillsides provides a special way that our residents can express what they feel in their hearts and have on their minds without necessarily conforming to the usual norms governing either an instructional or clinical session. It is a way to tap into their creative energy and to learn the joy and pleasure of being spontaneous and enthusiastic while revealing an important sense of who they are.

What is offered through the expressive art program is indeed therapeutic. In tandem with the clinical and educational staff, our art and recreational specialists support the overall goal of ameliorating the trauma experienced by children. The staff restore children to a sense of well-being essential for their reunification with family and community.

Integrating expressive arts to augment traditional therapies has become an indispensable part of services offered at Hillsides. At the upcoming gala, this program will be featured with the hope of generating much-needed funding to sustain it.

If you have not yet secured a ticket to this wonderful event, please contact Carrie Espinoza, director of development, at 323-543-2800, ext. 121 and make arrangements to support the many initiatives at Hillsides to create lasting change for all we serve.

The impact of art

The art studio at Hillsides is a well used space alongside the recreation center that is showing its age, having endured paint splatters, ceramic drippings, and silkscreen wax droppings for quite some time now. The worn and tired studio is nevertheless a hub of wonderful activity.

Recently, I was walking by the art studio and was drawn in by the sound of singing. As I entered the room, residents were engaged with their respective projects while singing along with the pied piper of the group, Kim Ha, the director of the art program. Kim was strumming his guitar singing a well-known pop song while residents and staff sang along moving to the beat. It was a joyous experience, one that Kim describes as transformative, helping these children to put aside their cares and enjoy the moment, happy and carefree.

Kim explains that the goal of introducing music to the art sessions is to promote creativity and fun while giving the children an opportunity to become ever more comfortable with expressing themselves. For our residents, who often are at a loss to describe the traumas they have experienced let alone the feelings they have, art and music are indispensable ways to share what is going on in their heart and mind.

The work being done in the art studio is an important part of the therapeutic experience offered at Hillsides. In an effort to be supportive of this important activity, this year’s gala committee, led by our board member, Susan Pinsky, chose the theme, “A Celebration of Art.” This annual dinner and dance gala will feature art from local artists, among other items, and emphasize its important place in the array of services that we provide.  

Join us at this wonderful celebration and in doing so lend your support to sustain this indispensable activity for our residents. Your support will allow us to strengthen the capacity of the art program by giving the children we serve a wonderful way to express themselves and discover the “art” of living happily free from pain and trauma.

Tickets are $300 and can be purchased online. To learn more about the gala, contact CarrieEspinoza, Director of Development, at 323-543-2800, 121. Come together with neighbors and friend as we commit to creating lasting change for all those we serve. 

Waiting to hear

As I was walking around the campus the other day I encountered a 10-year-old resident who asked me if I had been to the meeting held that morning to discuss her treatment plan. She was preoccupied with what might be decided and was anxious to know the outcome. Sitting with her I could not help but wonder how unsettling it is for a child to be left wondering about the future.

Fortunately, I had some information about the challenges this little girl is facing and how difficult it has been to find a good option for her that will assure her safety and reasonable hope of being reunited with her family. For the past three months we have been dealing with unsuccessful attempts at reunification. These efforts have been complicated by a bureaucratic maze of reviews and approvals, introducing delays and adding to the frustration of such a vulnerable child.  It is of little consolation that minimally she is being kept safe, attends school, and has improved while at Hillsides. She is still not home, unsure of what will come next.

She is like so many children in the foster care system in Los Angeles County, cared for and yet still longing for a permanent solution. Recently, the Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Protection issued an interim report that focused mostly on how to prevent fatalities of children, especially those under the age of five, who are in the care of DCFS. Ten recommendations were made that would increase the cross-agency interaction to hopefully address this serious issue. The recommendations all focus on marshaling more effectively the resources already available within the existing public services system. That being said, greater integration of services and heightened vigilance can only be seen as part of the solution and indeed not the remedy.

More than anything else in such a large community like Los Angeles, the challenge is to break things down into a manageable size. The solution has to do with creating communities that look out for its children and families and have the resources to prevent abuse and provide early intervention.  As diverse and spread out as Los Angeles is, there are still very distinct neighborhoods that provide manageable networks that support a sense of community. The children and families we serve depend on the good order and functioning of its local communities to provide safe, protective and healthy environments within which children can learn, play, and develop.

The specialty services that we offer at Hillsides are resources not only to the children and families we serve, but also the communities from which they come. With a common vision and commitment to make a lasting impact for these vulnerable children, we can ease the anxiety of a fragile 10 year old, lessen the grip of the bureaucratic maze, and more effectively use the resources available. 

New Year's resolutions

The weeks between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a great time at Hillsides as residents come and go from day trips and family visits. School has not been in session so it is a less structured period when residents and staff in smaller groups can engage in fun, relaxing activities that help to reset the agenda for each child as we plan for the beginning of the new year.

For all of us, this is a time to assess the past year and identify goals for the new year. The key, of course, is to establish reasonable and attainable goals so when we achieve them, a sense of accomplishment develops.

The individual goals for each child and family in our care are specific but they fall within some general categories: staying safe, improving their sense of well-being, and finding their way back home. No matter the individual details, all the goals fall within these three categories.

Staying safe

Although certain measures are in place to assure safety, it has more to do with the frame of mind than the physical setting. Unsafe activities are generated by feelings of desperation that can lead to entertaining risky or unsafe behavior. More than anything else, being sensitive to the traumas that have been experienced and supporting relationships that allow our residents to address those traumas are essential to keeping them safe.

Improving well-being

Related to this, of course, is the provision of quality care that is focused and individualized, oriented to effectively address issues that result in an improvement of behavior, an understanding of the causes, and measurable progress towards improvement. This is easier said than done, but absolutely essential if the child and their family can hope to be restored as a family unit.

Finding their way back home

These elements of safety and well-being are the foundation for establishing a pathway towards stability and permanency so that disruptive patterns can be broken and hope for normalcy established.

These are significant goals that are important to achieve but I am reminded that without the support we receive from so many, we would be hard pressed to accomplish much. As we have in the past, during the holiday season we count on the generosity of the community to help us create a memorable holiday for all we serve. Again this year we were truly blessed by an outpouring of generosity allowing us to fulfill the many “wishes” that had been conveyed to us by all those we serve. Thank you to all who so generously supported us during the holiday season. Such amazing contributions allow us to support the children, youth, and families we serve as they start the new year hopeful that the goals and dreams that they have for 2014 will be realized. 

Nurturing

Hillsides was recently selected by a local artist, Greg Marquez, as the recipient of a dramatic sculpture entitled "Nurturing." The piece is a bronze relief of driftwood that has been carved in such a way as to feature the intimate intertwines of the sinews of a single piece of wood. The artist exposes the natural movement of the wood to form a strong and durable union that reflects the nurturing nature of intertwines.

Given the services we offer, Marquez chose Hillsides for this permanent installation as a way of providing an artistic metaphor about who we are as an organization. Based on a freestanding pedestal, it allows the viewer to see it from various angles, each depicting the interdependence of the driftwood elements to form one strong piece. It stands just outside of the entrance to the administration building on campus as a welcome to visitors and as a statement of our mission to heal and nurture all we serve.

All of us are dependent on relationships that sustain and nurture. We experience these relationships within our families and communities and they are essential to our well-being. For the children, youth, and families in need who we serve, the support and care they receive from Hillsides is critical and makes all the difference to their success. Our reliance on one another reinforces the interdependent nature of the human experience. We need one another!

This statement of interdependence contrasts to the current debate generated by the failure of the initiation of the Affordable Care Act. All that is being said seems to be void of any reference to why this situation is truly alarming. For those who looked to this initiative to assure affordable healthcare, it represents a long awaited access to services that are essential for long-term well-being. We may argue the specific strategies employed to access affordable healthcare, but for the most vulnerable like the children and families we serve the political posturing and bureaucratic incompetence is of no comfort. The reliance on some reasonable system of healthcare is a reminder of how interdependent we are and how essential it us for us to strengthen nurturing bonds that ultimately sustain us in spite of organizational ineptness.

Tomorrow is Halloween, Thanksgiving is less than a month away and soon the great winter holidays will be upon us. This is a season of giving in which the nurturing ties that sustain are celebrated. For us at Hillsides, this is a time when we are reminded of how dependent we are on our donor community to help us reach out to all those we serve, both in our Residential Treatment Services program and through our various community-based services. Through your support and generosity we are able to tangibly demonstrate that we can count on one another to nurture and care for all those we serve.

We are grateful to the artist Greg Marquez whose "Nurturing" reminds us of how essential we are to one another. Learn more about the artist’s interpretation of the sculpture.

We are also grateful to all who faithfully support us and ask that as you put away your Halloween paraphernalia and prepare for the holiday season that you consider supporting our efforts at this time of year to nurture and care for all those we serve. For more information on how you can help go to www.hillsides.org.

Lifetime achievement

Each year we celebrate those individuals who have helped us make a significant impact on the lives of all we serve. This year among the many individuals that we will honor at the annual Circle of Excellence Awards there is one whose accomplishments are especially noteworthy. Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award this year is Susanne Crummey, the long time Associate Executive Director, who after 43 years of service is retiring at the end of November.

For many of our staff the thought of working at one place for such a long time is almost inconceivable. Today we are all accustomed to a certain amount of mobility and job diversity. It seems foreign to consider remaining loyal to any one place, institution or even profession. All the more reason for us to be grateful that in such an environment there are great people like Susanne, who in spite of her own ambition, professional career and personal responsibilities, has none the less made an extraordinary commitment to Hillsides. For Susanne, Hillsides is not a job but it is a community where she has had the privilege of being surrounded by like minded and dedicated people who are all focused on one thing--creating a lasting change for all those we serve.

It is within this context that Susanne has provided incredible direction and exemplary leadership that has helped Hillsides grow its capacity to provide indispensable services to increasingly more vulnerable children, youth, and their families. Rooted in a strong therapeutic approach and unquestionably committed to improving the lives of those in her care, she has been a coach, a mentor, a model, and a friend to all who would join with her in the creation of this therapeutic community that is Hillsides.

More than anything else Susanne has brought a very thorough approach to decision-making that engages all parties to seriously consider all the ramifications and always stay focused on the best interests of the child. This very intuitive and holistic way of fulfilling her day-to-day responsibilities has provided the organization with a steady and sure leader who will be sorely missed.

So what is Susanne’s legacy? There are too many achievements, too many individuals, too many initiatives to list. I suggest that her greatest legacy is the lives transformed by her in these 43 years. If this indeed is her legacy, then our testimonial must be lives of dedicated services modeled after such an extraordinary example.                                        

Susanne’s last day will be at the end of November. Between now and then we ask all who have been touched by her selfless and generous care to share with us the contribution that she has made to your life. You can make a comment on the blog or send an email to info@hillsides.org and some will be posted on Facebook. Others can share a remembrance via a Facebook post on Susanne.

 

Foster care failure

The most recent article in the Los Angeles Times series entitled, “The Child Mill,” exposed yet another failed organization that seemingly took advantage of the funding in the foster care system to benefit itself with little regard for the children entrusted to its care. The article revealed another frightening example of a system unable to safeguard children who are very vulnerable. To be fair, I’m sure there is another side to the story of the rise and fall of the Wings of Refuge foster care agency, but there are enough alarming details to certainly question its capacity to effectively provide foster care. If nothing else, the reference by its executive director to what she called, “professional foster children” is an indicator of an attitude toward these children that is not acceptable. 

That being said, the problem with these articles is that it paints a picture in very broad strokes, portraying many involved in providing foster care as either a group of ineffective, naïve, do-gooders at best or as a group of scheming, self absorbed, opportunists at worst. For the vast majority of providers of foster care services neither is true. Foster care is a highly regulated field of service that is essential to the child welfare system and, in most instances, is an indispensable resource to very vulnerable children and their families. It is also a relatively sophisticated system of care with clearly established standards of care and operations monitored strictly by both the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and Community Care Licensing. So how can such blatant abuse occur?

As a provider of foster care services, I can attest to the multiple and redundant systems utilized to monitor the safety and well-being of those we serve. In addition, the county employs a legion of auditors who on a regular basis review all aspects of our operations and governance. As an institutional provider of foster care services, Hillsides is held accountable by such a rigorous system of checks and balances. How is it that organizations like Wings of Refuge were able to operate so poorly for so long without some intervention? Could it be that in an attempt to expedite and facilitate the recruitment and development of these desperately needed homes, the county relaxed its requirements? If so, then DCFS  needs to re-examine its policies since clearly the best interests of children have not been served by such facilitation.

What is the solution? Most recently, the Child Welfare Institute in Los Angeles has set out on an ambitious study of how best to recruit foster families. The institute has helped identify not only who are the ideal foster families, but how to be supportive of these extraordinary individuals and families who welcome into their homes children who otherwise would be deprived of a home like setting while separated from their families. The fact is that overall Los Angeles has been able to assemble a system of care that provides a fair amount of early intervention for families at risk of being separated and as a result, many families have the resources they need to stay together. However, for those families whose circumstances call for a period of separation, it is absolutely imperative that we are able to provide them with safe, reliable, and effective foster homes.

The solution lies not just with early intervention and an effective system of foster homes, but also an ability to tap into the tremendous resource available through organizations like Hillsides who are equipped to provide a very integrated array of services to the children and families, who after any number of interventions, still require a more intensive treatment program. The solution has to do with developing a full array of services that can best be tailored to address the considerable challenges these children and families confront. I would suggest that for some of these families using a more comprehensive initial assessment would lead to the development of more effective plans of treatment and hopefully reduce significantly the number of failed interventions that can have a very negative impact on both the child and family.

Although there are no simple solutions, the task is not as complicated as it may seem. There are many models both locally and nationally that would help identify effective strategies to address the needs of children served by the child welfare system. With any luck, the recently established Blue Ribbon Commission will be able to help sort these issues out and develop a plan of action that will help DCFS eliminate the child mill atrocities exposed by the Los Angeles Times.

A surprise welcome back

On Sunday, September 15^th, we celebrated Founder’s Day. The event was one of the last celebrations that have been planned this year to commemorate the establishment of Hillsides one hundred years ago. It was a family-oriented occasion, drawing many people who over the years have been associated with the agency. There were former staff members, community members, longtime volunteers, and of course, some alumni.

Hearing the recollections of those who actually lived at Hillsides is always interesting. For the older alumni their stay at Hillsides was a result of premature death or chronic illness that impacted their families, requiring them to take refuge in a nurturing place as they dealt with tragedy and loss. For the middle-aged alumni, their stories were of a place that gave them a second chance, having been disruptive in their homes and communities for various reasons. The most recent alumni returned to tell the stories of their reintegration with their families and communities and the challenges that they addressed to become independent and successful.

Meeting many alumni is wonderful, yet the one that stands out for me was a young man who only left our care about two years ago. I was actually surprised to see him, but was really moved by how happy he was to be a part of this important celebration. He had come to the celebration on public transportation from where he lives now in the San Fernando Valley. He greeted his former teachers and staff members with a robust embrace, a smile on his face and a warm greeting. As we talked, I was impressed by how important it was for him to make the considerable effort to be part of the celebration. It was his way of saying thank you and an indication of how proud he was to have been part of the Hillsides community. For a young man like himself, whose life is taken up with many challenges and his success is the result of great sacrifice and effort, this celebration was important. An important part of his identity is the care and support that he received at Hillsides.

Part of the celebration was a brief reenactment of the reception of the first child by the founder of Hillsides, Deaconess Evelyn Wile. The script was taken from her own writings that chronicled her tenure. She was a woman driven by a mission to make a difference in the lives of the children she served. I hope that she would be pleased that a century later her vision still inspires and we are faithful at fulfilling the mission she established.

The greatest tribute we can offer to Deaconess Wile is provided by all those who have been served by Hillsides over the years. Their success, their gratitude, their ability to give back as a result of all they received that is the lasting tribute!

To all those who participated in any way in this and  the many centennial celebrations, thank you for all you do to help us fulfill our great mission to create lasting change. 

Dream day

Where were you 50 years ago when Martin Luther King, Jr. led that historic march on Washington, D.C. and shared his famous “I Have a Dream” speech? I was getting ready to enter 8^th grade and had no clue how momentous that march was and the impact it would have for civil rights in this country. Much has changed in 50 years and yet the struggle for civil rights continues. Equality is illusive and freedom requires constant vigilance and effort. As much as some dreams have been fulfilled, others are still denied.

On the anniversary of this great speech, many are asking, “What is your dream?” At Hillsides we ask, “What is the dream for ourselves as an organization and for the children, youth, and families we serve?”

Given the most recent article in the Los Angeles Times addressing the crisis in foster care in the county, my dream is that every child will be kept safe and every child along with their family will receive the support they need to be successful.  In a previous blog, I introduced you to a young boy that was admitted to Hillsides from one of the children’s holding centers mentioned in the article. I wonder what his dreams are? What responsibility does the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) have in putting him in the right path to achieve dreams? How are we helping him fulfill them?

The article reported that DCFS has reached a crisis point because of a severe lack of foster homes and other resources for children and youth in their care. A combination of an increased number of vulnerable families, shortsighted attempts to employ best practices, and a bottomline approach has led to this crisis, which is a long time in coming. As a result, there is a severe shortage of qualified foster homes. County social workers are stretched beyond a reasonable capacity. Providers are forced to do more with far less resources than is necessary. This is a disaster that puts children at risk and caregivers alike.

Dreams are dashed in such an overwhelming environment. But just as with the civil rights struggle, exposing the truth and insisting on improvement are required. There is no magic bullet, but the solutions are known. More resources are needed. Better assessments and measurable, achievable treatment plans must be developed as part of the initial intervention with these children. Early intervention that supports the role of family is essential to long-term success and stability. Effective recruitment of qualified foster homes is imperative. Perhaps if we can strive to improve in these areas, every child’s dream is closer to being fulfilled as they traverse the foster care system.

Increased funding is not the only solution; proven and effective interventions are also necessary. However, the care of the most vulnerable children should not be subject to the budget balancing exercises that often seem to drive decisions regarding their care. It is unacceptable and the result is a system that fails its mission to protect and improve the lives of those it serves.

I have a dream that some day soon we will have created communities that safeguard its children, supports its families, and assures the basic rights of all, especially the most vulnerable.  My dream for the young boy in our care is that we will be a resource for him and his family. By doing so, he will dream of great things for himself and be confident enough to pursue them.

Dreams are just fantasies if there is no reason to hope that they will be realized. One hundred years ago this coming month, a courageous woman acted on her dream to provide a safe and secure home for children whose families no longer were able to provide for them. Each day we take up that dream and commit anew to creating a lasting change for all we serve. Dream with us!

Housewarming to replace damaged items

On Tuesday, July 16, a main water pipe burst in one of our cottages, flooding the place and displacing the 10 adolescent girls who call that cottage home. By the time we were able to stop the flow of water, significant damage had been done. At least a couple of inches of water was everywhere, requiring major repairs to flooring and walls. Although the majority of furnishings were salvaged, some of the girls’ personal items were ruined.

This kind of disaster is terrible, but it quickly became more of a nuisance than anything else. However, for these young girls, vulnerable and easily traumatized, this incident was very disruptive. The loss of their personal space and some belongings as well as the need to relocate to a makeshift dormitory was truly traumatizing for them.

Luckily, most of the residents affected and their staff made the best of the situation. We needed to act quickly to restore the cottage and get these girls back into their own space.

We are very fortunate our insurance broker and carrier were quick to assess the damage and facilitate the claims process so that we could begin repairs immediately. All the flooring had to be replaced. Four inches at the bottom of each wall had to be cut out to assess the water damage and begin the drying process. Once the cottage was dry and free from any mold, the walls were repaired and painted before the flooring could be installed. Less than a month later, the girls are at least back in their own bedrooms while we complete the rest of the cottage. We are indebted to everyone who came to our aid at this time. In a particular way, this incident tested our disaster readiness and, once again, demonstrated how extraordinary our residential and maintenance staff are.

Insurance coverage will address expenses related to restoring the cottage to good working order. But it will not provide for the loss of personal items that the girls experienced, like comforters, pillows, stuffed animals, electronics, clothing, and especially shoes. We want to replace these items to help the girls, once again, feel at home in this cottage.

We are hoping that via this blog we can solicit your support to replace these personal items. The list is available online with instructions on how to donate. As always, gift certificates are welcomed and serve as a great way to engage the girls in selecting the replacements items. There is no better remedy to recover from this traumatic event than to provide these girls with some shopping therapy!

As always, thanks for the support you offer and know that your assistance will go a long way in helping these young girls feel at home. We encourage you to please share this blog with your family and friends in hopes that they, too, can help spread the word on how we need support to help replace the personal belongings for these girls.

Day one

Although I enjoy regular contact with any number of officials at the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), it is rare that I get a direct request for assistance regarding a child being referred to our Residential Treatment Services. But sure enough, there was a plea to give immediate and special consideration for an 11-year-old boy. The child had been in  multiple foster homes and each placement ended with a psychiatric hospitalization and foster parents feeling overwhelmed and tentative. The child’s family was not in a position to receive the child and, therefore, not an immediate resource for him. Having returned from a brief hospitalization, this young boy now sat at the DCFS emergency office with no clear indication of a long-term plan for treatment.

As we reviewed the admissions packet, there was a fair amount of concern for the likelihood of success. The team discussed the case in length and during this time the conversation shifted; slowly each member of the group was able to indicate some hope that we could be effective. So in spite of the odds, we approved the child for admission to the great relief of DCFS.

This is the first time that this young boy would be in a setting like ours and to no one’s surprise he did not react well initially. As promised, I looked in on him soon after he arrived and found four staff members all engaged at trying to settle him down and reassure him that he would be safe. I left the encounter wondering whether we had made the right decision and concerned that perhaps we could not effectively care for him. Periodically, I checked my e-mails to see if there were any incident reports that might indicate an escalation in his behavior and I was prepared to hear that he had been hospitalized again. But as the old saying goes, “No news is good news!”

A few days had pass so I asked about him hoping that all was well.  Aside from his first few hours of anxiously assessing his situation, this young boy had begun to interact with his cottage mates and was allowing staff to engage him. He was happy with his new bedroom, thrilled with the goodies in his welcome bag, and especially excited about getting in the pool. From combative and anxious, he was now engaged and playful.  

I’m sure the euphoria of these first few days will wane soon and that we will confront a number of challenges as we get this young boy on a path to a stable life. I could not help, but feel pleased that we were able to receive this child and begin the process of restoring hope for him.

We are so fortunate to have an extraordinary staff, well equipped to provide the care that will make all the difference in the success for this boy and his family. At the end of the day, this is what Hillsides is all about. A month from now we will celebrate the 100^th anniversary of our founding. Well over 100,000 children have been served in this century, all of them vulnerable and desperate for the kind of care that makes a lasting change.  Follow the blog as I provide you with updates on this newest resident and join with us as we celebrate our centennial on September 15.

Understanding the effects of trauma

This past spring I attended a conference that featured a presentation on the effects of trauma on the brain. Seeing the images of the brain before and after treatment was fascinating. Stress, resulting from trauma, can have any number of negative impacts and serve as the source of persistent ailments and disorders. The relationship between trauma, stress, and illness are well known, but for the first time we can see its impact and track improvement as a result of treatment.

For all the children, youth, and families we serve, trauma is a given. For many, their trauma is rooted in violence, loss, and so many persistent life challenges. As this issue has become more dominate in the practice field, we at Hillsides have taken on the challenge of becoming more effective at addressing trauma, confident that the treatment we offer can help restore hope and health to all we serve.

The starting point in this process is to recognize the trauma that we ourselves have experienced. The ability to be in touch with what has been traumatizing in our own lives allows us to empathize with others who have experienced trauma. Beyond the common experience, the challenge is to provide an environment that allows the causes of  trauma to be addressed effectively.

Hope is robbed when trauma rules, however, hope is restored when a hurt can be recognized and addressed. Treatment conducted in a respectful environment where safety is assured and compassionate care is offered relieves the stress caused by trauma and sets a path to restoring hope.

As I visit with our residents and follow their progress, I see the impact of trauma lessen and their childhoods restored. I may not be able to see a brain scan to demonstrate the improvement, but I can see the smile on a face and a carefree demeanor that indicates for me that something good has happened...hope has been restored.

The truth is that no one gets through life without experiencing trauma along the way in some manner. For each of us, caring people in our lives have helped us deal with challenges without losing hope. For those we serve, Hillsides offers a cadre of people whose sole purpose is to help address the traumas of life effectively and in the process make a lasting change in their lives.