Carissa Spurlock, Torrance DCFS Office, is a champion for families. She goes above and beyond to keep families together and reunite families wherever possible.

In one case, a child’s grandmother informed her Emergency Response CSW that she wanted her grandchild to be placed with her at the detention; however, the CSW did not assess the grandmother and the child was placed in a foster home. The grandmother continued to vie for adoption, with no avail, until she was one day informed that a nice family was in process of adopting her grandchild.

When the grandmother filed a complaint with the Board of Supervisors, the case was instantly transferred to Carissa. With warmth and patience, Carissa engaged the prospective adoptive parents, grandmother, and birth parents to work together for the sake of the child. She took the time to speak with the prospect adoptive family and explained the value of being reunited with the biological family to the child.

In the end, the adoptive family realized they should stop fighting and let the child go with the grandmother. Because of Carissa’s engagement, teaming hard work, and dedication, litigation was prevented and a family was reunified.