Sally

Sally entered into the Inland Temporary Homes (ITH), Hart to Heart program in October, 2011 with her husband and three children. Her husband had been recently released from prison, and she had reunified with her children after a year long separation due to a DCFS intervention.

This was the first time her family was all living together in two years, since she and her husband had lost control of their life due to an addiction to methamphetamines.

After the traumatic separation with her children, Sally was struggling with properly bonding with her children; she was afraid to discipline them or even play with them.

Sally’s low self-esteem contributed to her struggles with her children. She had not finished her high school education, had very little job experience and was unemployed when she joined ITH. All of these factors led to Sally relapsing during her first 30 days with ITH.

ITH was able to refer Sally to an outpatient drug treatment program where she was able to work through her addiction.

ITH Mental Health Services worked with Sally

to address her self esteem and self sufficiency.

As she worked to gain confidence, ITH also provided a Child Specialist to coach Sally on bonding and appropriately disciplining her children.

As these areas improved, Sally decided it was time to finish her high school education. With assistance from ITH Employment Specialist and Case Manager, Sally was able to budget her time and resources to study for her GED.

Today, Sally speaks with confidence. She enjoys playing dress-up with her daughters and helping her son with his homework. Sally has been substance free for over a year and is committed to her sobriety and has gained valuable tools to understanding her addiction. She completed her GED with high marks and is actively seeking work.

Brett and Deanna

Brett and Deanna entered ITH because they were homeless. Both parents became homeless due to extensive drug use, which was so prevalent that they lost their children to the state for negligence.

Brett and Deanna came to ITH working on a reunification plan to recover their children out of the foster care system.

Immediately, ITH provided them with counseling, case management, parent coaching and employment coaching through Infinite Horizons. Throughout the services provided by ITH, both Brett and Deanna have improved their budgeting, parenting, and home maintenance skills.

ITH is happy to report that while in Infinite Horizons, Brett has obtained employment and Deanna has focused on parenting skills. Their oldest daughter is involved in counseling services and as a result as been improving her behavior and family functioning. The two younger children are now attending pre-school and have been doing well. At the end of this year Brett and Deanna were able to close their CPS case, and are working towards permanent housing and self-sufficiency.