In seventeen years, FCNI has served 1,672 foster children/youth with an 85% overall success ratio.
 




Lacey's Story - PROMISING FUTURE
"Lacey’s first interaction with ICD staff was a difficult one. As one staff member recalled, "She was so emotional it was difficult for her to articulate a sentence.""

Lacey is a 17-year old high school senior who was referred to the Family Care Network's Intensive Community Diversion program (ICD) because of her struggles with substance abuse. Lacey’s first interaction with ICD staff was a difficult one. As one staff member recalled, “She was so emotional it was difficult for her to articulate a sentence.” Lacey admitted to abusing drugs on a daily basis as a way to escape the stress in her life and deal with many unresolved issues. She felt disconnected and alone. While she maintained that her sole lifeline was her father, Lacey admitted that her father of late was having a difficult time relating to her and her needs.

Lacey was encouraged in therapy to change those things in her life that were causing her the greatest amount of stress. Lacey’s therapist also attempted to show Lacey how to see issues in her life with a different perspective, demonstrating how her drug use was not solving her problems, but making them worse. Lacey’s self-esteem and self-expression where also targeted areas, Lacey having to learn new ways of seeing and expressing herself.

When ICD services ended, Lacey’s therapist saw a much different girl sitting before her than the one that had first walked into her office. Lacey had learned to appreciate herself, improving her self-expression and communication skills.

ICD services also helped Lacey to process her stresses differently, helping to elevate her need to escape through drug use. Lacey was also able to reconnect with her Dad, her dad enjoying the opportunity to get to know his daughter again. Lacey is a young lady with a promising future, having rediscovered that she is a valuable person with a lot to offer herself, her family and her community.

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