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Campbell, CA Dec. 16, 2009--A young man has returned to his family in time for the holidays thanks to EMQ FamiliesFirst, California’s largest children’s services agency. When “Ryan” (not his real name) was 11 his mother suffered from a debilitating disease, leaving her unable to deal with her son’s severe behavioral problems. He was disruptive, abusive and threatening to his younger siblings, and subsequently removed from his family for everyone’s safety.
After several failed attempts in foster care, he was placed in a group home four hours away from his family in Sacramento. Making the long trip was almost impossible for his mother. As a result, Ryan rarely got to see her or his younger sisters. Ryan struggled to get through each day under the trauma of stranger care and desperately missed his family. By the age of 15, Ryan’s only dream was to someday be able to go home.
Then EMQ FamiliesFirst came into the picture. The agency’s Wraparound program virtually surrounded Ryan with the help and services he needed. The Wraparound process provides individualized, comprehensive services and supports to children and adolescents with serious emotional and behavioral issues so they can be reunited with or remain with their families and in their communities.
Initially, the Wraparound team worked with Ryan and his family to secure an accurate diagnosis. While children who struggle with mental illnesses may show symptoms by age 14, most are not accurately diagnosed until well into adulthood. Through EMQ FamiliesFirst, Ryan had access to a team of psychiatrists who stabilized his treatment, giving him a greater chance at success.
Ryan made great progress within the Wraparound program and was reunited with his family just in time for the holidays—making it the best Christmas ever. Today, Ryan is a very happy young man and his younger siblings are thrilled to have their big brother back. He continues to do well and is well equipped for the future.
About EMQ FamiliesFirst
EMQ FamiliesFirst does whatever it takes to help children and families in crisis. The agency is recognized for innovative mental health treatment, foster care and social services that help families recover from trauma, abuse and addiction, and rebuild their lives. EMQ FamiliesFirst fights for sustainable change and advocates for improvements in the local, state and federal systems that serve children in need. For more information, please visit http://www.emqff.org
Editorial Contacts:
Sandy Smith for EMQ FamiliesFirst
(310) 560-8372 sandy@aldrichpr.com
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