“People are hesitant to take a drug-exposed. In this one particular situation that I’ve followed, she was born drug exposed and positive for hard drug. Stayed in NICU for at least a month, if not more. But they stuck by her, the family, from the moment they saw her. She was placed. This family was able to provide the structure and nurturing environment she needed to thrive. They provided her with the early intervention services she needed. Now she’s 4 and doing beautifully. I have followed it closely. Because of her heart difficult start- she needed a certain intervention, now she is exceeding her development. It shows about the families and what they provide.

As a social worker it’s all about knowing my families. It’s about understanding what they want, and what they feel is best for their families, and being supportive to them, even though, let’s say, I may have a reservation about an age, or a certain limitation. It’s about their right of determination, their self-determination, I’ve always kept that in mind. They think they can do it, and I support them, that really over writes their initial reservation. If they think they can do it, and I support them, they can do it.”