About Us

Success Stories

Susan, Adoption Support Services: A married woman in her 40s (We'll call her Susan) contacted us to see what she could learn about her birth mother. Susan needed support from us because her husband and family were not sympathetic to her curiosity about the missing pieces of her life. We were concerned that Susan's birth mother might be in poor health or deceased by now, but were able to locate her in an area nursing home.

Susan's mother was delighted to finally make contact with her daughter after years of wanting to know if she was OK. Both women were excited to meet and get to know each another. In the 1960s, CAS was able to help this birthmother by finding her child a family by whom she would be loved. Now, 40 years later, we have helped them to reunite, resulting in answered questions and reassurance. The adoptive mother has also developed a positive relationship with the birthmother.

Mary, Family Preservation Services: Mary, a 29 year-old single mother of 2 year-old twins, was referred to us by DHR because she was living with relatives in an unsafe, rural home. The family used an oven and space heaters for warmth because they couldn't afford a heater.

Our social worker educated Mary about the risk of fire, helped her get a job as a childcare worker, helped her find and rent an apartment with efficient heating and cooling, and helped her find childcare for the twins so she could keep her job and live on her own.

Mary still receives food stamps and daycare services and is transported to work through the JOBS program, but she no longer needs a public assistance check. She has learned how to ride the bus, is making friends in her new community, and is ready to learn to drive a car. As a result of CAS' assistance, Mary and her family are safer, stronger, more successful and more self-sufficient.

Tess, Project Independence: Tess, age 18, lived with her Aunt. She entered the foster care system after constantly running away due to abuse and neglect. As a teenager, she lived in 5 foster care homes and three group homes. She had a son who is 18 months old and lives with a relative. At 18, she aged out of the foster care system and entered our Project Independence program. She now lives in a supervised apartment with three other young women and their children.

Upon entering our program, Tess was motivated to gain full custody of her son and live with him independently. She quickly learned how to use the bus system, gained visitation priveledges with her son, and is able to keep him each weekend.

Tess had a paid apprenticeship with CAS, which recently turned into an apprenticeship at a local hospital. She currently goes to college and studies Medical Coding.

Because Tess has maintained a full time job and is in college, she will finally receive full custody of her son next month. She is saving money, paying rent and utilities, and hopes to find another part-time job in order to provide for her son.