Our department was referred to provide Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) services to a young boy (6 years old) who was living with his 71-year-old paternal grandmother. This young boy had a history of neglect and abuse by his biological parents and also had 11 other siblings all from different fathers. This young boy was in jeopardy of being removed from his home and placed in a higher level of care due to his behaviors, which included tantrumming, assaulting, kicking, spitting, throwing objects, property destruction, ignoring directives and biting his grandmother. On the first home visit, our clinician arrived at their home and witnessed his 71-year-old grandmother restrain the young boy, on the floor, for 1 hour and 40 minutes! The grandmother was clearly overwhelmed and didn’t have the “tools” to raise her oppositional/defiant grandchild.

Milton, 17 years old

Milton was constantly having outbursts in his home. These outbursts entailed physical altercations with his siblings and becoming destructive of personal property. Milton was diagnosed with ADHD and showed symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorders. He often refused to take his medication and would only take his medication when the police were called during extreme situations. The youth and his adoptive parents were referred to Project Permanence after Milton's mother called the CFS Post Adoption Program, with a request for assistance in managing her son's behaviors.

Leo, 8 years old

Leo presented with a history of depressive and ADHD symptoms. The client was being reunified with his biological mother along with his 7 siblings. There were many needs for stabilizing the placement. The Project Permanence (PP) team came in to help find potential housing options, and coordinate with the client's other service providers to get him the appropriate services in school. PP was also able to provide community resources for summer activities for Leo and his siblings.

David, 10 years old

David presented with a history of fighting in school, lying, and outbursts at inappropriate times. Project Permanence (PP) staff were able to assist the caregiver in getting David assessed for an IEP and attend IEP meetings to ensure the client received appropriate services. PP staff monitored David's school performance and met with school staff as well as David's TBS worker and individual clinician to see where the client was improving, and what difficulties remained. PP staff supported David's work done with his TBS worker and Individual clinician by practicing coping skills he identified as helpful.

Paulo, 5 years old

Paulo came to Project Permanence (PP), when his Child Welfare Worker, Sally made a referral into our program to stabilize Paulo in placement with his maternal Grandmother. Paulo was described as a bright, energetic, young boy with some aggressive behaviors that included cursing, tantruming, hitting, and spitting. Paulo had trouble following directions and remaining in control of his behaviors when in care of an adult. The goal was to stabilize Paulo in his Grandmother's care in preparation for adoption. His grandmother required some education as to how to handle Paulo's behaviors, some financial assistance, transportation, and advocacy in finding an appropriate educational placement. She also suffered from diabetes and other health problems. After the first three months of services, we were sadly informed that Paulo's grandmother had passed. During a period of mourning, Project Permanence intervened only occasionally. Nevertheless, Project Permanence continued to advocate for the family and assisted Paulo and his siblings in a transition to their Great Aunt's home, This caregiver is the sister of the deceased maternal grandmother. Project permanence began to support Paulo in his Aunt's care as a permanent placement. Great Aunt was hooked into Paratransit for transportation assistance, was connected to financial support from Alameda Point Collaborative and budgeting assistance, was educated on interventions through parenting classes and family advocate assistance, received extra therapeutic referrals, IEP assistance, respite services through FSSBA, and emotional support. Paulo began to receive TBS, family and individual therapy services, was connected to an appropriate day treatment services, and to other activities in his community through the assistance of the team. Paulo and Great Aunt began to bond, and are now very close. Paulo's behaviors have significantly improved, and he has made significant strides towards understanding how to interact appropriately with peers and adults. The Great Aunt has proved to her support system that she is steadfast and fully committed to caring for Paulo over the long-term.

Cecilia, 13 years old

Cecilia entered the foster care system in 2000 when she was 2 ½ years old. She has been in multiple foster placements and has been moved from several placements because her foster parents were not able to manage her behaviors. When the youth first came to live with her current caregivers, the Shires family expressed to the youth’s Child Welfare Worker that they were very interested in adopting Cecilia at some point in the future. CWW Bob Cadlix cautioned the Shires family that they were most likely in the “honeymoon” phase with Cecilia, because she was seen to be a very impressionable and socially active child who had a history of explosive behavior in response to her perception that her desires and wants were not being met. Bob referred the youth and her caregivers and Project Permanence (PP) began providing services to Cecilia and her foster family in May 2010.

Rita retired early from her job at JC Penny to care for her grandson, Alex. Alex’s medical expenses were very high; one medication cost $500.00 a month. Rita tried unsuccessfully to get financial assistance on her own. Linda, Lincoln’s Kinship Case Manager, intervened and because of her knowledge of the public systems, she advocated for Rita with Alameda County Social Services. Linda drove Rita to appointments and helped her complete her applications for Medi-Cal and other benefits. Because of Linda’s assistance, Rita received financial support and medication for Alex via rush order. Five years later, Rita continues to participate in the Kinship support group and maintains a strong connection to the program.

Sam Telt has attended Lincoln Child Center since 1/22/2008. Sam has been my client for almost 2 years. In that time, Sam has experienced amazing personal growth throughout his time at Lincoln Child Center. His presentation is drastically different than when he initially attended Lincoln and when I was transitioned as his clinician. I feel that he has learned much academically, socially, and personally. Sam continues to build positive relationships with adults that he trusts, such as his teacher, his clinician, Therapeutic Behavioral Service (TBS) worker, mentor, and his uncle.