Success Stories
Residential Program Success
Sam
Abandoned by his mother at age 2, Sam came to Spofford at age 9 after having been in 26 different placements. He is diagnosed with multiple disorders including ADHD, attachment disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder, a Tourette’s like syndrome, and on and on it goes. Sam’s difficulties and challenges were enormous, even for the staff at Spofford. His treatment was intensive and marked by extra special doses of patience and care.
Sam left Spofford for the final placement in his short life ... his 27th placement. He is now 17 years old and has been in the same home for six years. He is in high school and has shown dramatic improvement in his academic subjects. He is a talented artist and loves to work with his hands. He and his dad work together on fixing cars and various carpentry projects. Sam has a green thumb and loves to work in the yard. In fact, his favorite thing to do is mow the grass. His family reports that they believe Sam has a bright future and would particularly excel and enjoy a trade or craft working with his hands.
Darren
Darren was angry and aggressive when he came to Spofford, but this hid a deeper level of sadness from a long history of physical abuse. Although treatment services were offered to Darren's mom, she refused and waived her parental rights. With therapeutic support, Darren worked to grieve this loss and make sense of his abuse. He was eventually able to accept placement in a loving foster home, where he flourished and was later adopted.
Justin
"The care and treatment that Justin received was outstanding. But, Spofford did not just help Justin, they also gave me support, advice, encouragement and during some of the really difficult times went 'above and beyond' to keep me going."
Molly
The right answers in the mental-health system came just in time as violent fights were tearing a home apart. Download the Kansas City Star article to learn more.
School-Based Case Management Success
Darla
A kindergartner who was exhibiting significant behavior problems in the classroom. She was verbally and physically aggressive much of the time, which resulted in multiple school suspensions. Her mother, a single parent, was overwhelmed by trying to work full-time, support her family, and also manage her daughter’s school difficulties. It reached the point that she (the mom) missed so much work due to Darla’s suspensions that she lost her job.
Spofford’s Family Resource Specialist led the school intervention team to define a strategy to address Darla’s unacceptable behaviors, worked with the mother to find a new job, and helped to find a daycare provider who could provide for Darla’s needs when her mother was at work. The mother then participated in the implementation of a consistent incentive plan designed to teach Darla acceptable ways to behave at school and at home. Within six months, Darla’s behavior has improved so dramatically that she no longer required the incentive plan and other special school interventions. She continues to succeed in the classroom, both academically and behaviorally, and her mother continues to work and utilize the daycare when needed.
SCAMPS Success
Cristina
Cristina, 11 years old, was engaging and funny ... with all the adults in her life. Her 99 percentile IQ provided her a quick wit and keen observation skills. One piece that was missing for Cristina, though, was the ability to forge friendships with children her own age. She was diagnosed ADHD and struggled with paying attention through a whole game, not blurting out ideas and interrupting other people, and organizing her daily activities. Other kids in her suburban neighborhood thought Cristina was odd and unpredictable. "After four weeks of SCAMPS camp," Cristina’s mother says, "she was much more aware of how her actions affect the people around her, and she’s learned comfortable ways to interact with other people." "We’re so excited about the improvement in her self-confidence. I was thrilled when we were at the pool and I watched Cristina initiate a game of Marco Polo with the other kids, and then actually play until the end of the game. Before SCAMPS, she would sun on the deck or hang on the side of the shallow end."
Trey
Trey was 12 years old and on his way to middle school. His mother worried everyday about the decisions Trey was making, or not making. It seemed that he was choosing friends who were on the edge of trouble. Trey’s self-confidence was low and he was following whatever other kids suggested. He would be home alone during the summer, too old for daycare and too young for a paying job. Trey was at risk for his personal safety and he needed support for self-esteem and social development. "Coming to SCAMPS was the best summer, ever!" Trey reports, and in the next breath asked if he could come back the next year as a counselor. Initially hesitant, Trey was encouraged and offered new opportunities, and he quickly realized that he could be a leader among the other campers. His confidence and esteem rose, his ability to articulate his ideas improved, and he finished the summer believing in himself. Trey successfully adapted to the routine of middle school, is maintaining good grades, and making friends who share his interests.
