PATH Makes a Difference ... Wisconsin In-Home Program

One family in Western Wisconsin was involved with the child welfare system for over ten years, with their children drifting in and out of foster care. Rather than focusing on the challenges, a PATH WI In-home Therapist guided the family to see their strengths and concentrate on the aspects of parenting they could do well. The parents were able to accept that they needed help from foster and adoptive parents to guide their children into adulthood.

The parents were very cooperative about allowing yet another provider into their home (after more than a dozen previously). They enjoyed assisting their children in making Life Story Books, sharing stories and drawing pictures of both the challenging times and good times together.

The cooperative effort empowered the parents to make a plan for their children’s future. The parents became strong enough to give their children permission to either live in permanent foster care placement or move to an adoptive home. By reducing the shame around feeling like “bad parents”, the entire family has regained hope and serenity about their future.

Granted permission by youth 18 and older to use their name in the story.