El Paso
In January 2016, Ms. B* became a member of the Gap program along with her seven grandchildren. In January 2018, Ms. B inquired about residential group care at MCH. Her then-11-year-old grandson was having behavioral issues and she was facing financial struggles of her own. With the help of MCH Case Manager Cynthia Hurtado, Ms. B was successfully able to get a spot for her grandson at the MCH Boys Ranch. On Jan. 11, 2018, Hurtado flew to Waco to transport him to his new home, which he has grown to love. Today, his attitude about life has changed tremendously and his behavior has drastically improved. He shares with his family his newfound love for horses and how he enjoys helping at the Boys Ranch. Thanks to all the resources and opportunities provided by the residential program, he is also enjoying other activities he had never tried before. Ms. B’s grandson has a great relationship with his home parents, other staff, and with the other children. After having seen such positive changes in her grandson, Ms. B decided to also send his older brother to MCH residential group care in Waco. He recently joined his brother at the Boys Ranch where he is happily adjusting and playing football for the MCH Bulldogs. Today, Ms. B is grateful to MCH for being able to help in her time of need. MCH has truly given hope to her and her grandchildren.
Corpus Christi
Manuela enrolled in Family Solutions in May 2019. She is a single mother of four girls, ages 11, 9, 6 and 2. Child Protective Services referred Manuela to MCH so she could connect to community resources and receive parenting support. She came from an abusive relationship which left her severely injured with a brain injury and limited mobility on her left side. Manuela was hospitalized for months and went through physical therapy. Once released from physical therapy, she was determined to bring her family back together and care for her children. Manuela applied for disability and was able to obtain a rental home. She also reached out to a local organization for counseling services and utilized other community resources. She connected with Coastal Plains MHMR and enrolled her two oldest children for services. She is a dedicated mother who wants to develop a positive relationship with her children. Manuela is implementing the new parenting skills she learned through MCH into her home daily.
Dallas
Ashley* was placed with MCH in the summer of 2019. She came from a foster home where she had lived for the past year and was very attached to her foster parents and foster siblings. The previous home did not want to adopt her, so CPS placed her into a foster-to-adopt home with MCH. Originally, she was not happy about being moved and possibly adopted. Ashley often complained and disliked everything about her placement. However, in the next few months, Ashley made amazing progress. Her foster parents implemented methods learned through MCH parent education to build connection through Trust-Based Relational Intervention. Ashley has traveled throughout the summer, started school, had sibling visits and celebrated her birthday. Recently Ashley began referring to her foster parents as “Mom” and “Dad.” Ashley now tells her MCH case manager how much she loves her forever home and is looking forward to the future with them. Ashley is thriving in her placement and is ready for a successful future with the support of her foster parents and MCH.
San Antonio
Deborah was enrolled in the Gap program for eight months. She has been raising her 3-year- old granddaughter since 2016 after she was removed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services due to her mother and father’s mental health issues and substance abuse. According to Deborah, there were no other family members able to care for the child, so she decided to raise her granddaughter as her own. She said she wanted to remain optimistic and hopeful, despite the circumstances.
Deborah heard about the Gap program through a grandparent support group and decided to reach out to MCH for assistance. MCH Family Outreach helped connect her to the Alamo Area Council of Governments and was provided an affordable lawyer. Currently, she is in the process of legally adopting her granddaughter which should be finalized at the end of this year.
During her time with MCH, Deborah received utility assistance, a car seat and clothing for her granddaughter. She was highly motivated to seek resources available to her and was dedicated to ensuring all of her granddaughter’s needs were met. She said she is grateful for the grandparent support and services provided by MCH Family Outreach and felt supported and empowered through a difficult time in her life.
*Names changed for privacy.
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