Shelbe, an Ohio START Specialist with Kinnect shared the story of one family who, with support from her and the START team, was able to come up with their own solution.
Jane and John* were parents to a newborn baby, Amy. Amy tested positive for substances at birth and went home on a safety plan. Jane also had a three-year-old son, Joshua. Shelbe began developing the family genogram. When it became necessary for the children to leave the home on a weekend, Shelbe’s work came into play. Using the genogram, they identified a placement right away with their maternal grandfather. Shelbe also identified Joshua’s legal father who had raised him for the first half of his life. He definitely wanted to be involved and even offered medical information of which the team was unaware. The team connected him with the children’s grandfather who was caring for them. Together, the grandfather and Joshua’s father came up with a plan to care for the children and to keep the siblings connected. Both recognized the value of the sibling bond, as new as it was. Each of them would keep Amy and Joshua during the week. Each weekend, they would take turns keeping both siblings so that they are together every weekend.
*Names and identifying information have been changed for purposes of confidentiality.
With Kinnect to Family and Ohio START’s guidance, the family was able to find their own solution.
