Family Services Inc

Family Services Program SUCCESS STORIES:

Betty Ann Krahnke Center (BAK)
A 32 year old Hispanic female came to the shelter fleeing domestic violence perpetrated by her longtime boyfriend.  The program (and other service providers) assisted her through the process of filing criminal charges and obtaining a final protective order.  Her boyfriend was arrested and is still incarcerated awaiting a trial.  He has an extensive criminal history, including other domestic violence offenses.  The Protective Order ordered this abuser out of the home so the client has some additional safety measures in place should he be released.  She owns her home and was able to return to her residence given the additional protection.  She also actively participated in all of the treatment services, focusing on learning about the dynamics of domestic violence, beginning to address some of her codependency issues and their connections to childhood trauma, feeling an increased sense of hope and empowerment and looking at relationship patterns which have been problematic for her (even prior to this most recent relationship).  She is going to start outpatient therapy and continue working on the goals that she identified for herself while at BAKC.

Early Head Start (EHS)
Emily, a teen mother, started in the EHS Teen program in 2010, and enrolled her child in the Discovery Station CDC. She was a below average student in tenth grade and had a history of absenteeism in school. She indicated that having staff to work with directly, who monitor her school performance and her family situation, has really helped to keep her focused and on task at school and for her daughter. Emily took more interest in the “The Keys to Success” summer program for teens, and during summer of 2011she had no absences.  She is now on track to be an honor roll student at Gaithersburg High School, having all A’s and one B on her current grade report.

Outpatient Mental Health Center (OMHC)
Through one of the grant to provide mental health services to the uninsured population, the OMHC was able to help woman in her 40’s receive individual therapy in which she has not been able to receive in the past due to not having insurance.  She has been trying to cope with a severe traumatic past including finding her father after he committed suicide and the loss of one of her children only 9 hours after he was born.  She has been feeling depressed for years and reported being thankful for the professional help. 

Healthy Families Montgomery (HFM)
Mom is a new participant who has a four week old baby. Mom was very happy to have a baby but expressed a lot of insecurity about taking care of an infant. After having the baby, mom continued feeling anxious about how to bathe him or entertain him. Mom’s Family Support Worker (FSW) has been able to establish a trusting relationship with mom by being consistent with visits, calling to see how mom is feeling and answering questions in a non-judgmental way. Mom has recently expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to participate in HFM.  She has gained confidence as a mother because of the support she has received from her FSW. She also appreciates being able to ask even a simple question and not have to worry about being judged. When mom was having some difficulty with breastfeeding she received a visit from a staff member with lactation credentials who was able to assist mom with positioning that helped a great deal. Now mom feels that breastfeeding will be easier.

Montgomery Station Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
Mariam is a transitional aged youth who recently moved out of her parent’s house into FSI’s supported housing and receives services from Tracks. She is taking 2 classes at MC, completed all her make-up work over the summer for the class she missed last spring due to her hospitalization, got a B in her summer class and has done all her financial aid stuff herself without assistance. She’s still living in independent housing even though she has some difficulty with a roommate.  She has been able to follow the correct procedures and stick it out instead of falling back on support and housing from her parents.  She’s also made some connections with woman in her class and at Montgomery Station.  She has struggled in the past connecting with woman and has made an effort to make these friendships.  Mariam more and more is able to recognize her feelings of anxiety or depression and how they affect her life and manage them on her own.

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