Our Care Coordination Services team is proud to share this story of triumph. This family success story features Stephanie, a 15-year-old who loves music. During her visits with her Consultant, music became a bridge to healing. She would often ask, “Do you know this song?” If the Consultant didn’t, Stephanie would happily sing the tune and recite the lyrics word for word.
The Consultant engaged with Stephanie by connecting their conversations to the music they were listening to during the visit. Incorporating a youth’s interests makes visits more meaningful and engaging. By intertwining Stephanie’s love of music into their time together, the Consultant was able to instill valuable social and emotional skills—demonstrating to Stephanie that she was truly cared for.
Pause Before Reacting
During one of their singing sessions, the Consultant accidentally kicked Stephanie under the table. Acting on instinct, Stephanie immediately kicked back. The Consultant explained that it had been an accident and encouraged Stephanie to pause and consider the situation before reacting impulsively.
A few months later, the same thing happened—another accidental kick during a duet. This time, Stephanie paused and asked, “By any chance, was that an accident?” The Consultant explained, apologized and Stephanie calmly continued singing, unfazed by the moment. This small but significant change in her response showed her growth in emotional regulation.
Small Moments, Big Lessons
This was a major success for Stephanie, who came from a background of abuse and neglect before being adopted. Her past experiences made her more sensitive to certain actions compared to her peers. Small steps like this create meaningful strides over time.
Correcting behaviors isn’t just about telling youth how to change—it’s about leading by example and demonstrating patience and understanding. Building trust through shared interests and genuine engagement helps create stronger connections with young people. Trust, consistency and respect are the foundation of a solid relationship. Because of the trust built over time, Stephanie believed in what her Consultant taught her, and her behavior changed in response to that respect and teaching.
Stephanie’s small step toward self-regulation will lead to even greater progress in the future. Thank you for being the hope for thousands of young people like Stephanie who might not otherwise have the opportunity to grow. It is never too late to guide a child toward positive change.
*Note: The youth’s name has been changed to protect the child’s identity.
About Care Coordination Services
Care Coordination Services help families navigate complex systems like mental health care, child welfare, juvenile justice and special education while supporting them through the healing process. Our trained Care Coordination Consultants work with families and key partners, including school staff, therapists and community organizations to identify strengths and needs, create personalized service plans, connect families to resources, monitor progress and advocate for children and families.
Special Thanks to Our Funders
- Broward Behavioral Health Coalition
- The Jim Moran Foundation
- Kingdom Charitable Trust
- Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network