Success Stories

Maria’s Story

Six-year-old Maria and her three-year-old sister Lupe came to Casa Pacifica after being removed from their grandmother’s home due to severe medical, social and emotional neglect. Their mother was an active substance abuser and had abandoned them; their father was an absent parent.

“Maria had cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia and could barely walk,” said Debbie Pell, Casa Pacifica’s Shelter Care Director. “Both girls were admitted with head lice and dirty clothing, able to communicate only in Spanish.” The children were not toilet trained, nor were they capable of independent living skills such as washing their own hands, dressing or eating with utensils.

Casa Pacifica staff quickly assessed the girls’ needs and put a plan into action. In addition to Maria’s medical needs, there also were behavioral and emotional challenges. She was delayed in the areas of socialization,language, spatial concepts, counting, reading and object recognition. “Maria was easily frustrated and resorted to head banging and biting to try to get her way,” said Debbie. Lupe’s behaviors included frequent tantrums and poor impulse control.

Doctors on campus examined the girls’ teeth, eyes and overall health. Lupe was diagnosed with borderline anemia, and a special diet was prepared to increase her blood iron. With Maria, more intensive procedures were needed. “We needed to begin to straighten her legs through a medical program of serial casting,” said Debbie. “We asked for a court order authorizing the procedure, and each week doctors would put new casts on both legs.” Child care workers on campus assisted her in a daily exercise program, and she received off-campus physical therapy several times a week.

Preschool activities enabled the children to learn new skills quickly. Both girls began toilet training and Maria learned to use scissors and button clothes. Playtime often included acting out daily living skills that would help them become more independent. With staff members speaking both Spanish and English, the children quickly began to feel safe in their environment and started to thrive.

After three months, both Maria and Lupe were fluently bilingual, exhibited age-appropriate social skills, were toilet trained and were able to dress themselves and attend to their own hygiene needs. “The head banging and biting behaviors stopped completely,” said Debbie. “And the daily tantrums diminished as the girls learned they could ask for what they needed.”

Maria’s casting was successful, and she began to walk with much better balance and increased muscle strength. Through testing, the girls were found to be very bright. They learned colors, numbers, letters and age-appropriate skills. Maria transferred to the kindergarten class at Casa Pacifica during her last three weeks of shelter care.

One month after Maria and Lupe had been removed from their grandmother’s home, their social worker located a bilingual therapeutic foster home for them. The girls were visited often by the foster parents during their stay at Casa Pacifica, and were taken off campus to visit what would become their new home.

Today, Maria and Lupe are doing well with their foster family. Their mother and grandmother visit occasionally, but are chronically inconsistent. Their court case is pending. Notes Debbie: “We are very proud of the immense progress both children made during their time at Casa Pacifica.”

Note: Maria’s and Lupe’s names and Maria’s picture have been changed to protect their privacy.

 

Robby’s Story

When three-year-old Robby arrived at Casa Pacifica, the only life he had known was instability. His parents, both wanted by the law for drug charges, had dragged the little boy from town to town.

One day his mother couldn’t take it anymore and turned herself in to authorities. Robby was brought to Casa Pacifica and quickly assessed by staff. He had suffered severe neglect and was unable to speak. He lacked verbal skills, had speech delays and a very short attention span. He resorted to tantrums when trying to communicate and would scream at the top of his lungs when another child invaded his space. “Robby would sometimes go into a state of complete helplessness, throwing himself on the ground, refusing to do anything,” noted Demetrius Henderson, preschool supervisor.

Robby was paired with a primary counselor who worked to form a bond with the child. Once the counselor earned his trust, Robby began to form attachments with staff members. He was put on a program that included speech therapy and exercises to improve verbal and communication skills.

A structured daily routine, which included dressing himself, brushing his teeth and a daily bedtime, provided Robby with the stability he needed. He was put into preschool classes where he learned colors, shapes and the alphabet. In less than a month, Robby was using words to communicate with staff and was able to complete puzzles. Instead of having a tantrum or yelling, he would use words to express himself. He had trouble transitioning from task to task, so staff members found creative ways to deal with the problem. At bedtime, they would read books to Robby to relax him.

A reunification process began with his mother, who had entered a drug rehabilitation program. She was placed in a facility that would allow her son to join her when she was ready. For nearly two months, she participated in on-site visits, which later progressed to overnight stays.

Robby recently was discharged, and is living at the rehabilitation facility with his mother. His father is still wanted by the law. According to his mother, Robby is well adjusted and continues to follow the routine set for him at Casa Pacifica. She told Henderson that the other mothers at the facility are envious of her well-behaved child. Henderson reported: “Robby is doing really well, and we are confident that he will continue to progress if things remain stable with his mother.”

Note: Robby’s name and picture have been changed to protect his privacy.

 

Mona's Story

Mona, age 11, arrived at Casa Pacifica from Ventura County Medical Center's Children's Unit. Her history included manipulation, tantrums, opposition, defiance, self-injurious behaviors and medical insubordination with her type I diabetes. She had been removed from her parents' home due to their inability to monitor and maintain her diabetic condition, and had attended only two weeks of school the entire year.

When Mona did not get her way, she would either refuse her insulin injections or refuse to eat once receiving her insulin, which would place her in a potentially life-threatening situation. She had been hospitalized on an emergency status several times due to her manipulation and health negligence. Once, at the age of 8, she was in a coma for a week and a half.

Casa Pacifica had to be uniquely prepared for Mona's tendency to combine these behaviors with a life threatening disease. Prior to her arrival, the staff attended a thorough diabetic training and was involved in meetings to better prepare for Mona's medical and behavioral issues. Our McDonald's Cottage supervisor, staff, social worker and nurses worked side by side to develop a plan for success for Mona.

When we first met Mona, she was extremely scared and unwilling to leave her family. She was unresponsive to our staff - she wouldn't even make eye contact -- and began to display her described behaviors almost immediately. These behaviors were often triggered when her visits with her family needed to come to an end. She would attempt to leave Casa Pacifica with them, and would cry and scream uncontrollably, often making herself physically ill. One of her screaming tantrums lasted nine hours -- without interruption.

At first, Mona refused to attend classes and participate in cottage activities. Despite much encouragement, she would often remain in her room. Eventually, Mona would calm down and, during those times, she would interact slightly with staff and peers. We realized that when Mona was calm, she would be compliant with her diabetes program.

Through support, verbal reinforcement, active listening and encouragement, our staff gave Mona the consistency that she needed, and continued to set limits by not giving in to her tantrums. The McDonald's Cottage team also implemented a special intervention plan that provided Mona with family visits only when she would remain compliant with her diabetes and cottage programs. Although at first Mona had a hard time accepting this, it didn't take long for her to become 100% compliant!

It took only five (tough) days to reach Mona. She has since made such a remarkable turnaround. She has made healthy and close bonds with staff members across campus. Mona has visits with her family on a daily basis and has just recently begun to go on off-campus passes with them. Very importantly, Mona's family has been supportive of Casa Pacifica's structure and policies.

Mona is outgoing, friendly, and nurturing. She has a great sense of humor, enjoys entertaining her peers and staff, and loves to make others laugh. She continues to be smart and independent with her diabetes program and radiates great health. Above all, she has a beautiful smile -- and shares it with everyone.

It took the entire community of Casa Pacifica to make this success story happen. This effort proved to benefit not only one child's health and well being, but also all of the children in our care by uniting us as an agency, team and community.

Note: Mona's name and photo have been changed to protect her privacy.

 

Michael’s Story

Ed. note: Executive Director Steve Elson received this letter from a former Casa Pacifica resident.

Dearest Steve,

How are you doing? Me, I’m fine. If you don’t recognize my name, that’s because my last name was different when I attended Casa. The reason I’m writing is to let you know how lucky I am to have been placed at Casa Pacifica.

At a very critical time in my life, I was abandoned by my parents, and the rest of my immediate family had passed me on like an object. Instead of treating me like a human, I was neglected. When I couldn’t take it any more, I became very depressed. The police eventually happened across my way. I had no place to go – my family had vanished.

The police took me to Casa. I was seen by a nurse first thing. I was later taken to the hospital, and they treated my skin from a really bad disorder. When I got back I received a hot meal, a shower and a bed. The staff there were so welcoming. They made me feel safe.

I received a lot of help and counseling in the shelter, but supervisor Jerome Smith wasn’t convinced it was enough. I was transferred to the RTC program. There I met three of the most important people of my life, David Smith, B.J. Aragon and Arlene Altobelli. They helped me overcome my depression. They taught me how to control my anger. They encouraged me to do well. They encouraged me to do well in my academics. When I was doing well they always gave me strength in therapeutic peptalks. They taught me there was always something better than good and that I could achieve it. And when it was time to leave, they taught me that all change is scary but it is the only route to success.

I went to Casa with a 3rd grade reading level. I’m now at a 12th grade level in all my academics. The two best teachers I ever had were Bruce Oliver and Denise Owens. All the other staff at Casa were great influences, always positive role models. They are always willing to go out of their way to help someone else. If I didn’t have the privilege of being at Casa, my life would probably be a great deal of adversity.

I don’t know how I could ever repay someone like David, B.J. or Arlene for all the help they have given me. But I can’t possibly go the rest of my life without them knowing that I am thankful. I owe them a great deal of gratitude, as well as all the staff therapists, teachers, nurses, supervisors, activities staff – and I can’t forget the behavioral specialists. I wish they knew how thankful I am.

Always,
Michael

P.S. You still owe me a basketball game.

Note: Michael’s name and photo have been changed to protect his privacy.