Kara, Ann, Seth and Sara

The Petaluma Police Department found them sleeping in their small car behind a store in Petaluma.  Grandma was sleeping with her 4-year old grandson and 2-year old granddaughter while Mom was out looking for a job.  It was mid-morning when the officer woke them.  The kids were dirty and the car smelled.

 

Kara, her mother, Ann, and Kara’s two children came to the Family Center from there.  Kara had lost her job as the result of an injury and was very limited in the type of work she was able to do because of continuing pain.  Grandma Ann wasn’t able to work either, so she was trying to take care of her grandchildren the best she could while Mom continued her search for work.  The children, a 4-year old boy named Seth and his 2-year old sister Sarah, stayed with Grandma in the car during the day.  When they entered the Family Center, the family had a warm safe place to be, nutritious food, and a comfortable place to sleep.  The children began attending the Children’s Haven during the day while both Ann and Kara focused on their health and finding employment.

 

While in the Haven, it became apparent that there might be concerns with Seth’s speech development.  It was very difficult for him to express himself, which frustrated him when the adults and children didn’t understand him.  This frustration grew into aggressiveness and anger.  Through the collaboration of the school liaison, a speech assessment was done on Seth.   The Speech Specialist visited the Haven several times during the month, giving the Haven staff suggestions that would help Seth.  Meanwhile, Sarah was having attachment difficulties, not wanting to leave Mom and Grandma.  But it didn’t take long for Sarah to become comfortable with the Haven and staff.  Although she was young, she quickly joined the preschool children in the routine.

 

Ann and Kara continued working on their goals, attending the Rent Right program and Kids First. They were soon able to apply for the COTS Shared Housing Program and were accepted into one of the HUD houses.  The children continued to thrive in the Haven with Seth getting ready for kindergarten and Sarah already participating in the preschool.  After moving into the HUD house, Mom brought the kids to the Haven until Seth was old enough to start school.  The Haven staff was sad to see Seth and Sarah leave us, but content knowing they were ready.