Reunification for Dawn
Dawn grew up in California and had, what she calls, a good childhood. She was close with her family, especially her mother. Dawn’s mom was a bright spot in her life and one of the strongest women she knows.
In 2018, Dawn’s mother unexpectedly passed away, and the sudden tragedy launched Dawn into an addiction that she battled for years before becoming clean. After a year of sobriety, Dawn found herself in an unsafe relationship and began using again. On the night of her children’s removal in September 2021, she knew she had to make a change.
Although it wasn’t a requirement for her case plan, Dawn decided to seek inpatient drug treatment. In October, she admitted herself into Gateway Recovery Services in Fort Smith and began the fight for sobriety. There, she heard about 100 Families. She graduated from Gateway and got connected to 100 Families case manager, Courtnee Harlan.
“The first barrier we had was getting her into housing. She was being denied from everywhere she applied, and we couldn’t figure out why.” The last apartment she applied for finally informed her that she owed a debt collector from a previous residence. Once they were able to identify the issue, Courtnee and Dawn connected with a community partner who provided financial assistance to reduce a portion of the debt. Within two weeks, Dawn was able to pay the remaining balance and get into an apartment. Furniture was donated, and DCFS approved a Trial Home Placement.
Throughout her case, Dawn’s DCFS case worker was able to track her progress on HopeHub, the collaborative case management system used throughout the Initiative. Courtnee was able to communicate goal completions and progress to the case worker, who was able to report that progress to the court. Dawn described how her “case worker was able to see that all in real time, and I think that’s what helped me out so much.” In August of 2022, custody was returned to Dawn! According to Courtnee, “Without finding a resource to help with the debt she owed, Dawn would’ve spent months trying to pay it off, rather than weeks. That made a huge difference in reunifying Dawn with her children.”
Today, Dawn is employed full-time and has a great support system at work and at 100 Families. She says her big goal is to buy a house but for now, she’s focusing on ensuring her children’s health and happiness. “If it wasn’t for your program, someone like me, someone who doesn’t have anyone and who needs help trying to get better…I wouldn’t have anything. One of my favorite things is that there’s no judgment when you walk in. Within the year, so many things have changed, especially with my girls, but you guys are the same. You guys are still here.”
People that know Dawn consider her a fighter. June 3, 2023, will mark 20 months of sobriety, and there aren’t enough words to describe how proud of her we are. We cannot wait to see the continuing success of this amazing woman, and it’s an honor to get to watch her grow. With hopeful hearts, we all strive to be a fighter, just like Dawn.
