The Power of a Forever Family
For three years, sisters Jada, Jasmine, and Jayla lived in three foster homes.  They desperately wanted to live together.  When Gayle Flavin, Extreme Recruiter, began this case, there were just six known relatives.  Determined to find a forever family for these girls, Gayle and the ER team got busy.

Normally, it can take up to 24 months to find an adoptive family for a child, especially those considered hard-to-place: older youth, sibling groups, and youth with emotional, developmental, or behavioral concerns.  The goal of Extreme Recruitment is to do this work in just 12 to 20 weeks!

Within weeks, Gayle found 146 relatives of these sisters!  The next challenge – identifying the perfect forever family!  Who of these relatives would have the space and the ability to care for these girls – together?  The Extreme Recruitment team began reconnecting the girls with grandparents and cousins.  Soon, a cousin was found who was eager to adopt the girls.  “If I had known they were in foster care, I would have given them a home immediately!  I’m so happy and know that the girls will be too!”

After getting to know their cousin, the girls have moved into their new home and the adoption should be finalized in the Spring.  Jada marvels at the resemblance between herself and a close cousin.  Not only did she find a family with her two sisters, she also has a new best friend.

Brittany Now Looks Forward to Her Future!
Feeling a deep loss and separation from her parents, Brittany's pain was multiplied. Having been abused as a young child, Brittany's world brightened when her grandmother adopted her.  Gone was the craziness of her past home life.  Circumstances changed when her grandmother died.

Donna, a dear family friend, adopted Brittany and she began her life with her third mother.  This time, however, wasn't as easy.  She began failing school, fighting with Donna, and leaving home in the middle of the night.  Donna also struggled with significant health issues and began fearing the worst.  Desperate to keep her new family intact, Donna called the Coalition's Crisis Intervention Program.  Thanks to the Crisis Intervention Team, Brittany no longer leaves the house without permission, speaks respectfully to her mother, and has joined a club at school.  They now see a family therapist from the Family Support Network and Brittany visits with a therapeutic mentor.  Donna can't believe the incredible changes that have occured thanks to the Crisis Intervention Team.  "I don't know what we would have done without you," she said.  Brittany is finally starting to put the past behind her.  She looks forward to her future with her family.

Hayden Found His Grandmother!
When 4-year-old Hayden's mother was arrested and unable to care for him, he came into a foster home. When 30 Days to Family became involved, there were only five known relatives.

Through interviews with family members, public record and internet searches, and good old-fashioned door knocking, a total of 277 of Hayden's relatives and kin were identified and mapped out for him on his family tree! 30 Days to Family identified three potential family members willing to care for Hayden within two weeks of becoming involved in his case.  Another break in the case soon came when the Coalition's special investigator tracked down Hayden's long-lost paternal grandmother, Dina.  

Dina cried tears of joy to learn about the grandchild she never knew she had. She said, "Of course I want my grandbaby! I will love him and take care of him as if I've known him since the day he was born!"  Dina will begin the process of getting to know a brand new addition to her family soon!

Joey has Someone Who Cares!
The first time he came into foster care Joey was 4 years old.  Now 15, Joey entered foster care in March for the 4th time.

On March 30th, our 30 Days to Family staffer received the case and met with Joey.  He was gentle but wistful, saying, “I just want to live with someone who cares."

With that, we hit the ground running.  On the 1st day, our 30 Days to Family staffer built the family tree from 4 to 13 relatives.  Soon it was up to 64!

The big break came on the 6th day when we found an aunt who was a licensed foster parent.  Once we told her that her nephew was in foster care again, she said, “I want him come to me right now!”

Now living with his aunt, Joey was a completely different kid than the one we met 14 days ago; he was full of hope.

Preparing to close the case, we asked Joey if there was anything else we could do for him.  Joey said, “Well, I would really like to see Mr. Jackson.”

We learned that Mr. Jackson, a local entrepreneur, was Joey’s mentor when he was younger.  Now reunited, Joey and Mr. Jackson play basketball together every week.  Mr. Jackson has even offered to pay his high school tuition, saying “I’m excited to take Joey back under my wing and guide him in the right direction!”

Now, with his aunt and his mentor in his life, Joey knows that someone cares!

Charles (12) and Brenda (13) moved in with their grandmother, Hazel, after their parents died.  As they struggled with their loss, their behavior began spiraling out of control.  Brenda was depressed and constantly worried.  Charles was bullied at school, disruptive, and acting out.  To make matters worse, Hazel’s health took a turn for the worse.  She began to lose hope for keeping her family together.

The family was referred the Coalition’s 24-Hour Crisis Intervention Program.  A Crisis Intervention Specialist worked with Hazel, Charles, and Brenda for six weeks, visiting their home regularly to identify problems, develop goals, and construct a behavior plan.  She also worked with their therapist to ensure the services aligned with the family’s therapy. 

In a few short months, the family began communicating more effectively.  Hazel gained realistic expectations and began setting consistent rules.  “Our Family Intervention Specialist taught us balance,” said Hazel. “The kids loved the way she interacted with them.   I was pleased that they opened up so easily.”  Hazel explored her grandchildren’s interests and focused on meeting their needs.  Brenda and Charles began following rules and listening.  Brenda is happier, and Charles’ successes far outweigh his struggles.  His behavior improved, he is overcoming the bullying, and is doing better academically.

The Coalition offers 24-Hour access to Crisis Intervention for pre- and post- guardianship/adoptive families in St. Louis County. To make a referral, contact Dawn Milburn, Lead Family Intervention Specialist at 314.367.8373.

Before 12-year-old Dierra was fortunate enough to have her case referred to Extreme Recruitment, her future looked dismal. She had come into foster care at age 7 due to extreme abuse and neglect – trauma that resulted in loneliness, depression, and negative behavior.  At age 12, she had said goodbye to her mother and siblings – as well as five different foster families.  She was failing school, and her future looked bleak.

Within weeks, Dierra’s Extreme Recruiter found 76 lost relatives and introduced her to some of them.  Most of her relatives either did not know about Dierra’s situation or they did not know how to go about connecting with her. Extreme Recruitment worked one-on-one with identified relatives and helped them understand the patience and commitment it would take to raise Dierra.  Just one month after moving in with cousins, Dierra made a huge turnaround; her grades not only improved but she was also completing more challenging academic work. In her words, “Now that I’m with my family I feel normal – I’m not some foster kid anymore, I’m their kid!”  Dierra is still healing from past abuse but she now has a permanent family to help her.

Last year, David celebrated his 10th birthday in a foster home. In care since he was a baby, David no longer bothered making a birthday wish for a family to call his own. 

What a difference a year makes! David’s case was chosen to be part of the Coalition’s groundbreaking adoption program, in which the Coalition partners with other agencies to find permanent homes for children. In just 20 weeks, David’s team located more than 140 of David’s family members. Finding a home for David within this network began. His team realized that most of these family members didn’t know he existed. Although most wanted to help, one person in particular was ready to give David a home – his grandmother, Sylvia. As soon as Sylvia found out about David, she moved from Florida to begin the adoption process. David’s life improved when he found out he had so many people who cared for him. He was happier and began doing better in school. David had always wanted to try sports, but didn’t have the resources to do so. One of his newfound family members is a Little League coach, and David’s planning to join the team this spring! 

David recently turned 11. For the first time, his family surrounded him as he blew out candles and made a wish – that had already come true. He has a family to call his own, and, in his grandmother’s words, “He’s our missing link.”