Boys Town had been working with a family that had received In-Home Family Services on and off since 2013. Each time the family had been referred for services, it was for the same referral issue — parental substance abuse. The family would make progress and reach case closure, only to have it open again less than a year later, always with the same referral reason. When Mindy Dooley was brought on to work with this family in July 2018, she was informed of all the services the family had received. But Mindy, being the worker that she is, knew she needed to meet this family and learn for herself about them and their struggles.
During services, the family was very engaged with Mindy. Mom and dad attended their substance abuse and mental health appointments, made sure their children attended daycare and school, and participated in various activities that supported their growth and development. But it was like they were going through the motions again to reach another safe case closure. Mom and dad continued to have struggles with their substance abuse, including struggles with relapse, spending time with negative supports, and not always being honest about their use. The children were removed in September 2018 and placed in foster care.
Mindy has a strong ability to build trusting relationships with families and she was able to do that with this family. Mindy attempted to better understand the true struggles of these parents to help them learn new skills, find the right treatment and develop positive supports. Mom and dad successfully completed substance abuse treatment. They developed relapse prevention plans that helped them to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse, obtained NA sponsors and attended NA meetings, and developed both formal and informal sober support systems. Mom and dad found stable employment and developed a monthly budget to help them pay their monthly bills consistently. The children were returned to a safe and sober home with their mom and dad, and the family’s case closed successfully in August 2020.
If it wasn’t for Mindy’s abilities as a consultant to build trusting relationships with families, teach skills effectively, put children and family safety first, and work to better assess and understand family struggles, this family may not have been able to reach a successful, safe case closure with the children going home to their parents. Mindy’s work with this family is a large part of why this family has not been referred for services again, even five years later. Mindy continues to carry the mission of Boys Town, changing the way America cares for children and families.