Early Childhood

Addicted to meth and marijuana, Wayne and Amanda had almost lost custody of their daughter. But today with LSI's support, they are making the most of a second chance.

"Our kids are what drove Amanda and I to change our lives," Wayne said.

Both entered rehab programs and began the long process of repairing their lives to get their daughter Brittany back.

Parenting didn't come naturally to either of them, Wayne said.

"My dad killed himself when I was 12. My mom left the state when I was 14. I lived with aunts and uncles. I'm not going to let my kids grow up with the childhood I had."

Through an early childhood program, Wayne and Amanda have weekly home visits from a LSI family support worker who helps them build their parenting skills and make sure Brittany, now 5, and their youngest daughter Haley, 1, are on track.

"This keeps things fresh in my mind and on doing what's right for the kids," Wayne said.

"It's so good to have support," Amanda added. "Even when you're doing good. I really like that LSI works with us as a family. They understand, and they don't look down on you. It's like having a friend. I appreciate it so much."

Amanda talks openly about her past drug use, something she battled with her first two children who she lost to state custody.

"When you live a life like that it's all you know," she explained.

Today she knows a new way to live. The awe and pride in her voice is obvious as she talks about Brittany and Haley.

"Haley was the first pregnancy I went through clean and sober. The whole experience was so different. I had her without any DHS involvement, and it was so neat."

An LSI family support worker stopped by to congratulate them at the hospital the day after Haley was born.

"That was so neat," Amanda said. "To have people who saw me at my bottom see me at my top is special."