Robert*
Robert* came into placement at Ettie Lee Youth and Family Services in December of 2008, through LA County Probation, for stealing, property damage, and for truancy (to name a few). With his poor reading skills and his numerous truancies, Robert's grades suffered and his depression came out as anger and defiance. At the time of his placement, Robert was also having trouble with his family relationships, choosing negative peers and high-risk behaviors. Robert also had trouble with following rules. To make matters worse, Robert also suffered from a severe acne problem which was causing him to fight with his peers because of the teasing that he received. Needless to say, he was having a difficulty making friends.
As he became adjusted to living away from his family in one of our Ettie Lee homes, Robert slowly became motivated to improve his behavior and responded well to all staff members. He was given a variety of services, individual and family counseling, skills to manage his emotions, tutoring and medical help for his skin. Each month we saw progress and so did he. He showed improvement in his behaviors and adjusted very well with the other boys.
Robert's reunification with his family took place in June 2009. He lives with his mother and his two siblings and also spends time with his father and step-mother. Since he has been back at home, Ettie Lee's After-Care Program staff have continued to assist him. Robert needed to complete the community service hours he started doing while at our Ettie Lee home. Working with the After-Care team, he chose a graffiti removal service. In less than two weeks he completed nearly 60 hours of community service. Additionally, the After-Care team has also helped Robert, who was reluctant at first, to get involved in a summer reading activity program sponsored by his local library. With encouragement he has found books that are tools for a better future.
When he is home, Robert tends to his chores without needing adult direction. From laundry to preparing a meal, Robert is no longer having difficulty with taking on responsibility. During the summer he joined a local youth activity center which he attends five days per week, and Robert is getting ready to start school. He would like to do well in school and is motivated to become a better reader. Robert will sign up for a tutoring program which focuses on reading proficiency.
* to protect the child's confidentiality we are not using the child's name
Brian*
Brian* was 16 ½ when his family begged the judge to place their child in a
treatment facility where his problem behaviors could be addressed on a daily
basis. He arrived at our Mount Jurupa group home and was assessed as needing
mental health and drug and alcohol services right away. Additionally he needed
to make up school credits. He had a choice. Ettie Lee staff would be there to
support him if he was willing to do the hard work it would take for him to
change his life.
During his time with Ettie Lee Brian he took part in
more than 72 drug and alcohol sessions and had more than 35 individual and
family therapy sessions. He attended school daily and stayed drug free. While in
placement, Brian’s best friend died from a gunshot wound. Brian remarked that,
“That could have been me because we were always hanging out together.” Prior to
leaving Ettie Lee, Brian’s family moved to a safer neighborhood. There, Brian
is reported to be happy, drug free, in school and getting acclimated in his new
neighborhood.
Brian is very happy to be home and he is moving forward. He has even taken a job in retail! Brian has been true to Ettie Lee’s program and
additionally, he and his family have been working on
applying the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills
they all have learned.
* to protect the child's confidentiality we are not using the child's name
Charles*
Recently Charles was referred to us. From
the beginning of his placement at Ettie Lee, Charles was motivated to improve his
life. When he arrived, however, he appeared very "hard" - he had
multiple tattoos that spoke loud and clear about how he felt about the
world. Many people who saw Charles felt somewhat intimidated, because
of his appearance and demeanor. As the months passed, Charles began to
demonstrate a side of himself that most people had not seen in
many years - a funny, thoughtful, light-hearted person who enjoyed
laughing.
In the beginning though, he had to overcome
an issue that is all too common with adolescents - he was struggling
with balancing two lives - the life of a cruel "gangster" and, the life
of a warm and loving son.
Peer pressures and a lack of communication in
his family pushed Charles into the gang life and he became a danger in
the community. Charles was introduced to important therapeutic skills
at Ettie Lee. If he embraced these DBT skills(Dialectical Behavior Therapy), we knew they would be
helpful to him when dealing with the issues he had with his family, his peers, and himself.
And, embrace them he did. Shortly before
Charles left our residential treatment care he developed an impressive understanding of the
DBT skills he was taught. Over time he learned how to express himself
effectively, how to compromise in areas that he initially believed
there was no compromise and how to be truthful to himself about who he
wanted to be in the future.
And not only was Charles making huge strides,
but his family had also demonstrated the same amount of effort. At his
court hearing at the six month mark, Charles was granted permission to
return home with his family.
* to protect the child's confidentiality we are not using the child's name
