Gillis Stories - Joan's Story
One of the families referred to our Intensive In-home Services (IIS) program was in great distress because the father was accused of sexually abusing one of the four children and was ordered to leave the home and have no contact with his children. Joan, the mother, had difficulty accepting this because she was devastated and frightened about how she would carry on alone.
Our IIS Social Worker went into the home and spent a lot of time with Joan who needed help that involved listening and helping her to process her own disbelief, anger, fear and grief while teaching her about the profound effect the abuse had on her child and the whole family and how important it was for her to be loving and supportive in spite of her difficulty believing this could happen. She worked hard on improving communication with her children and learned how to identify and access what she needed to be able to care for and protect them from this ever happening again. The family was linked to MOCSA for individual therapy for the victimized child and family therapy for all.
It took a little time for Joan and the children to understand how their lives had been impacted and accept that life going forward would be different. However Joan stepped up and provided the love, support and strength needed to keep the children safe and the family together.
Rachel Hodson, Assistant Coordinator of the IIS program said “We enjoyed working with this family and strengthening the bond the children have with their mother. Now we know they will get through anything together.”
Stories
"In helping Rachel resolve some of her problems through mentoring and training, it is hoped that the long-term family history of poverty will be broken."
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Gillis is part of Cornerstones of Care, a partnership of agencies providing therapeutic treatment services for children and families.
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