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Tim had a terrible history of abuse and neglect. He had been in multiple placements before arriving in a CFN home. Tim was very bright, but angry and implusive. Tim was not successful in his first CFN home, but after being placed in another CFN home, Tim began to realize his potential. He clicked with his foster parents, graduated from high school and is now in the Navy serving aboard a nuclear submarine.

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When Sarah came to CFN, she was a 16 year old teenager who was on drugs, pregnant and had been living with a physically abusive boyfriend. She is now a freashman at Victoria College studying to be a nurse, attends Narcotics Anonymous, and despite the drugs she took her first trimester, is the mother of a smart beautiful baby girl!

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Dominick was a very skittish 1 year old that had been physically abused by his mother and grandmother. He was kicked, suffocated, burned with cigarettes and scalded with hot baths. He was guarded, cautious, unattached, expressionless and mute when he came to a CFN foster home. After much trust building, love, safety, fun, nurturing and protection, Dominick learned to trust and love. Dominick now demonstrates secure attachment, affection, trust and a range of emotions. His adoption will soon be consummated with his new family.

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Peggy was a very defiant teenager with a negative attitude and behavior. She skipped school and ran away, often to be retrieved from adult men's houses. Her foster mom never gave up when many were frustrated and fed up with Peggy's risky behavior. This past May, Peggy graduated from high school and began college. She has remained in the same city as her foster mom rather than returning to her biological family. Her foster mom continues to provide support for Peggy.

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Ross and Samuel have been at CFN for a little over a year. They had experienced two failed adoptions. Both boys had severe behavior issues. Their behaviors have calmed and they have taken up cross country running and road racing. They have participated in several 5K and 10K road races in surrounding communities, winning several ribbons and medals. They typically placed in the top 5 in their age division.

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James left his CFN foster home after turning 18. He stayed in school, graduated and enlisted in the Army. He is now deployed to Iraq. He is an explosive expert and wants to study architecture when he leaves the Army.

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Willameana stayed in care at a CFN foster home until she turned 18. She continued in school and graduated. She works full time at a local restaurant, takes a full class load at ACC and has been accepted at Texas State University. Willameana is engaged to be married but is waiting until she graduates from college. She is studying to be a therapist.

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Robert came into care at age 9 and was adopted by his CFN foster family at age 13. he is soon to be 18, has an apartment, goes to high school, works 5 days a week, and enjoys being involved in an array of activities through Special Olympics.

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Ryan was the youngest of a sibling set of 8. They all had wildly out of control aggression. Ryan was the only kid in the whole family having the courage to speak the truth about the abuse occuring in his family. He had the courage to speak directly to the judge about his fear of his parents and his firm decision at age 5 not to go home to his family because he would not be safe. Ryan had to overcome a lot of pressure from his family to gain his safety and the safety of his other siblings. Ryan is now 7 and doing very well. He is close to being adopted and he is excited about the prospect. Ryan has never regretted his decision to speak the truth about his family because he trusted those around him to protect him.

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Remember Sarah? This is a letter CFN Staff received when she left her CFN foster home:

Thank you for finding such a loving and caring family for me to stay with. When I first found out I was going to be in foster care, I was so scared. WhenI got to Anne's and John's house, they took me in and treated me and my daughter like we were part of they're family. I couldn't ask for a better family to spend the past year with. It has been such a blessing to be a part of the Caring Family Network, I will never forget you guys and all the help you have given.Thank you for such a great year. This year has changed my life in so many ways. I thank you guys for all of your help.

Thank you,
Sarah

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February 12, 2009 - This morning was pretty tough for a lot of people as they said their goodbyes to “Mark” (name changed to protect anonymity) and watched him move on from foster care to resume life with his mom.  “Mark” had been placed with  a CFN foster home, in Sept. 2007 as a chubby 9 year old that was pretty big for his age, but very immature and sheltered.  He had been living with his grandparents because his mom did not have the resources to care for him at the time, but his grandparents were not able to care for him either after making plans to move to another city.  “Mark” reportedly had little contact with kids his age and was often catered to in order to subside his tantrums when he wanted to get his way.  Within the first week of placement, the foster family, school staff, and other members of the treatment team knew that they had their work cut out for them in working with “Mark”.  Even though he was playful and very lovable, he was also outwardly defiant (“I’ll do this, but I am NOT doing that!), was resistant to any new food, task, or piece of schoolwork placed before him, and was even restrained at school within the first few days of enrollment.  He was also delayed in his daily living and social skills to the point that many thought he could be diagnosed on the Autism/Aspergers spectrum.

Over the next year and a half, this young boy was transformed into a slimmer and healthier boy that could dress himself, interact with peers, and apply himself at school.  He never required medication and was able to make this transformation purely on the consistent support and guidance provided in the home and at school.  Over the past few months I, as the case manager for the home, have heard nothing but positive things about “Mark” from all realms.  The foster parents praise his progress and stability, the other kids in the home have said, “I need to be more like “Mark” because he never gets into trouble”, and the school staff marvel at the progress and consistent grades he has made.  This morning when I went to pick “Mark” up so he could be transported to his Mom’s house, we stopped by his school to get withdrawal papers and say goodbye to all his school friends.  The school staff was disappointed to hear that he was going to be leaving that morning instead of later that afternoon because they had arranged a big going-away party for him.  While I waited for withdrawal papers and copies of documents, I observed “Mark” receiving tearful hugs and gifts from practically every school staff that had known him.  The mentor that spent lunches with him every week gave him a Honey Crisp Apple that he ate every time they were together along with some games and a note pad to write people.  Another teacher gave him a rolling suitcase to help with his travels, along with a self address envelope so he could write her.  His classroom sang him Happy Birthday and gave him markers because he would not be there for his March birthday.  Even his PE teacher came to the classroom and told a story about how “Mark” barely made it around one end of the field during his first 45 minute running test, but now he can run up to 11 laps around the entire field in the same amount of time.  She then gave him a medal to wear around his neck for his improvements in health and exercise.  When it was time to leave and “Mark” and I were walking to the car, “Mark” excitedly talked about all the gifts he had received.  When I asked him, “Why do you think you got all those things?” “Mark” replied, “Because I’m a special guy.”  I told him that was part of the reason, but “Mark” quickly added, “Because I was really good.” 

Even though “Mark” has made great strides while in foster care, I am confident that he will be just as successful in returning to his biological mom because of the skills he has learned in the foster home and at school.  Just before handing “Mark” off to his case worker this morning, I had a minute to sit down with him and tried to give him advice on how to continue his success.  Before I could finish my first sentence about maintaining a healthy and clean body, “Mark” had already began rattling off how he needs to stay healthy, do good in school, and help his mom by doing his part in the home like doing his chores and keeping his room clean.  “Mark”’s mom has shown an equal amount of responsibility and an intense level of dedication in getting her child back by completing all her required services and attending every court hearing and family visit despite her living 2 ½ hours away and not having transportation.  The treatment team has already conveyed their willingness to help Mom with any questions she has in getting “Mark” adjusted to their new life together and hopefully things will work out as they both continue to get the support they need.