Last year, a local family faced an unimaginable challenge when Child Protective Services (CPS) removed their six-year-old son from their care due to a misunderstanding.
The child, who has a speech delay, sustained a minor injury after a fall. Unable to fully express what had happened, he unknowingly triggered a report to CPS at school. What should have been an opportunity for support turned into a painful separation, and the child remained in foster care for five months.
The family had first connected with Safe & Sound through a school workshop, where they learned about parenting strategies, tools for parenting, child development, and community resources. When they reached out to Safe & Sound for help, our Care Coordination team immediately stepped in, advocating on their behalf and helping CPS understand the family’s cultural background and parenting practices. The team provided parenting classes and helped them navigate the complex legal and social services systems.
The removal of their child had far-reaching consequences for the parents beyond emotional distress. Because their son was no longer in their care, the family lost their place on a shelter waitlist, leaving them homeless. This, in turn, became another barrier—CPS required stable housing for reunification, even though the family’s homelessness was a direct result of the removal. Safe & Sound intervened, covering the cost of a hotel stay while working with Compass, a local housing organization, to secure longer-term shelter. With this stability in place, CPS approved the child’s reunification with the parents at the start of this year.
The moment they were reunited was filled with relief and joy. After months of uncertainty and heartache, the family could finally be together again. They have since worked hard to regain stability, with the mother receiving therapy to process the trauma of the separation. She has become an advocate for families experiencing homelessness, speaking out about the challenges parents face in securing shelter. The mom is also pursuing Early Childhood Education classes to obtain a child care license, while the father has found stable employment.
Today, their journey has come full circle. Their housing situation is now stable, and with a subsidy on the way, they are looking forward to an even more secure future. The family remains connected with Safe & Sound, continuing to work toward their goals. More than anything, they are grateful to have their son back home, where he belongs.The family is deeply grateful for the support they received and for the chance to move forward together.
At Safe & Sound, we believe that every family deserves understanding, advocacy, and the resources needed to thrive. This story is a testament to the power of community support and the unwavering resilience of parents fighting for their children.