Services to Families

Their grandmother Cindy holds out their pictures proudly. The oldest, Romello, is 9. Then there's TaiRic, 4, and Sillet, who at five years old is now blind from severe child abuse.

After living through trauma at a young age and being removed from their home, the three are now being raised by their grandmother. It's not easy, but with the help of LSI's remedial services program the family is learning new skills to cope with the past.

"We work on coping skills, anger management skills, social and peer skills," said Peggy Jobe, LSI caseworker. "The boys are becoming more mature. They're better now at getting along with each other and using their mouths to say ‘I'm angry' rather than acting it out."

Remedial services are voluntary, skill-based services for youth with behavioral or mental health issues. Through in-home or office visits, LSI caseworkers teach children and families the skills to deal with issues such as anger management, coping, decision-making, communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution and relationships.

Peggy and another LSI caseworker meet regularly with the family to help them learn new skills and carry out a prescribed treatment plan. Anger, especially, can be an issue for the boys.

"They've been abused and been through severe trauma," said Cindy. "Why shouldn't they be angry?"

She explains how she sat with Sillet in hospitals when he had intensive surgeries on his brain after being abused as a toddler. The family didn't know how he would recover.

"The doctors said he wouldn't walk and talk again, but he has regained 25 percent of his sight," she said. "He knows day and night, bright lights, the sun."

Sillet, like his brothers, is extraordinarily resilient. All three boys are bright and energetic; they love to sing and play instruments, a hobby that can also bring healing.

"I think all of the boys have vast potential," Peggy added. "They're special, the boys and Cindy, in that they've gathered a really good support group of people that can help them."

LSI's services, Cindy said, are excellent, and working with LSI for the past three years has made a positive difference.

"I refer LSI to others," she said.

Cindy has the same hopes for her grandsons as any grandparent—that they will grow up to be positive and happy, each with a good education and career.

"I get through with the help of God, number one, and the help of Peggy, number two," said Cindy. "Peggy's my angel. I couldn't have done it without her."

Getting through with faith. Going forward with LSI.