The Children�s Home Helps Protect Erin and Her Kids From Violence

Erin, 24, and her 4 children were trapped in an abusive and dangerous home environment for many years. Though separated, Erin�s husband violated a court safety plan and continued to inflict violence on his family, forcing entry into their home and physically assaulting her and the children. Battered and risking custody of her children, Erin turned to the Children�s Home for help

How Children�s Home Helped

Erin entered Children�s Home Family First program, which helps DCFS referred families who are at high risk of losing custody of their children due to family abuse or neglect.  A Children�s Home counselor provided case management, counseling, and community outreach and support. The counselor helped Erin to defuse potential violent situations at home and gain the courage necessary to follow through with her husband�s parental rights termination.  Essentially, she learned the importance of raising her children in a safe and loving home.

Specifically, Erin�s caseworker organized a safety plan for Erin and her children to follow in the event the father threatened violent behavior. When he refused to follow this plan, Children�s Home became involved and helped initiate the parental rights termination plan.

Erin and her Family Today.

Today, Erin is attending school full time at a junior college where she is studying radiology and is maintaining above average grades. In addition, she and her children are living safely together in their home; two of the children are in school and the others attend daycare and stay with friends and relatives while Erin herself is in school.

�I am very grateful to Children�s Home for the support and assistance received during this difficult time,� Erin says.