When we are born we come into the world completely dependent on others to meet our needs. If we are among the lucky ones, we are born to parents who are attuned to us and can anticipate what it is we need before we express needing it. If we aren’t so lucky, we are born to parents who are incapable … Continue
During my 16-year career in child welfare, I have seen a lot of transitions. I’m now a supervisor in SaintA’s Family Services, but I have had several different roles getting to this point. I was thinking recently how that reflects what the families we serve go through. Their whole experience with the child welfare system is a series of transitions. … Continue
Ever have one of those days where from the moment you wake up you are just in a blah kind of mood? Whether it was because you were tired from staying up way too late watching the game, the weather had finally turned from sunny and warm to arctic cold, or you just woke on the wrong side of the … Continue
As the supervisor of SaintA’s Independent Living Services programming, I’ve often been asked, “Are you crazy?” The question arises following my explanation of what ILS is all about. I ponder the inquiry and respond, “a little bit crazy, yep.” I smile as I say this, acknowledging the sense of humor one must have to do this job. Those inquiring parents … Continue
The other day I enjoyed a moment of serenity, marinating in the warm scent of pumpkin spice from my office. I found peace watching a group of our Residential Treatment Program lads laughing and working together raking the front yard. In their smiles, I couldn’t help but wonder what their lives would be like had they never received the support … Continue
A couple of weeks ago I and another case manager took a group of five of our young adult clients from our Independent Living Services to a pumpkin farm/apple orchard. You might think this is a fairly routine thing to do in the fall, but for these youth, it was a day they say they will never forget. Christine Woods … Continue
On a beautiful day recently, Nichole Ostrowski-Grasset’s Foster Care licensing team spent the afternoon and evening surrounded by proof that healing comes in many different ways. Our team volunteered at LifeStriders in Waukesha, a nonprofit organization that provides life-enhancing physical and psychological experiences and services to individuals with special needs. LifeStriders offers a holistic approach to meeting the challenges many … Continue
I want you to close your eyes and imagine something. Pretend you’re sitting on the floor of your bedroom, and all around you are cards, but they’re all facing down. Now, in one try I want you to put the cards in order without looking. Impossible you say? Well, so is making all the “right” decisions in life, and you’re … Continue
As a new Ongoing case manager, I can be seen in the copy room struggling to scan something to my e-mail and repeatedly punching in the (wrong) user code, or rushing through the office with a flushed face and a car seat, knocking cubicles, walls and the occasional co-worker as I try to make it to a child’s dental appointment … Continue
Recently our chief clinical officer, Tim Grove, challenged us all to stay connected to why we do this work. Well Tim, challenge accepted! I supervise five of the foster care licensing specialists, who work directly with the foster parents of SaintA. At our most recent team meeting, we gathered around some delicious ice cream sundaes (our idea of brain food), … Continue
Wow! What a weekend! I was brimming with pride in agency accomplishments that were highlighted Friday and Saturday nights. Friday, Sept. 26, was our annual Harvest of Hope recognition event. The event is meant to provide an opportunity for our wonderful foster parents to get away for a bit, have a nice meal, and to hear how much we appreciate … Continue
Children are put into out-of-home care for a variety of reasons, but the fundamental reason is that they are unsafe in the home. But then what happens to them? Do they stay in foster care until they age out? What if their parents are capable of keeping them safe, only they just didn’t know how? That is where SaintA’s Family … Continue
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are “one of, if not the leading, determinant of the health and social well-being of our nation,” according to Robert Anda, the co-principal investigator for the ACE Study. Sara Daniel ACEs have been shown to have a strong influence on smoking, alcohol abuse, illicit drug use, sexual behavior, mental health, homelessness, workforce performance. They also increase … Continue
As a child welfare case manager at SaintA, I travel quite a bit. But this trip was different. I was driving toward a hospital in the city to meet with my youngest client. My heart raced as the car approached the hospital. Even though it was a beautiful sunny day, I felt a cold sweat break out over me. The … Continue
While perusing Facebook one Saturday evening, I came across the video clip below, which had been showing up on several of my friends’ pages. I finally decided to watch it. It captured the reality of children in foster care, the reality of how hard it is to provide care for them, and their desperate need for stability and love. I … Continue
