Gwen is a 36 year old woman who was referred to the Families Living Together Program due to a history to substance abuse and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. She had experienced persistent familial abuse from her mother and older brother as a child and was involved in abusive relationships with partners as an adult. She had moved out of her mother's home when she was twelve and began using substances as a preteen. Consequently, Gwen never returned home and was in and out of treatment programs and prison for most of her teenage and early adult years. She lived with friends on and off and became pregnant when she was 26 years old. The FLT Family Care Coordinator (FCC) met Gwen after she moved into an emergency family shelter with her two sons.

Throughout FLT's experience with Gwen, she has demonstrated incredible strength, resiliency, and hope for the future. Both Gwen and her FCC worked as partners in creating a treatment plan that would best address her current concerns and needs, especially related to her substance use history and mental health treatment. When Gwen first became involved with FLT she was already in therapy with a local mental health agency and attended AA meetings as often as possible. FLT supported Gwen in her efforts by providing some taxi vouchers to allow her to get to meetings outside of the shelter's immediate area. Gwen also agreed to allow the FCC worker to initiate contact with her therapist, so that she could discuss ways of supporting her recovery. Gwen also participated in Seeking Safety groups at the shelter, which provided another safe space for her to gain additional tools to aid her with recovery from substance use and co-occurring disorders.

The FCC and Gwen discussed her CORI issues and poor credit and she was referred to Legal Services. The FCC also met with Gwen weekly to build a relationship and assist in other needs that might arise.

Based upon Gwen's interest in employment, the FCC worker referred Gwen to FLT's Vocational and Job specialist, to discuss employment history and future job prospects. In addition, Gwen expressed an interest in finding ways to be a better mother while managing the stress of shelter living, so the FCC worker arranged a consultation with FLT's Parent-Child Specialist. As a result of these meetings Gwen has consistently attended and successfully completed the Nurturing Parenting Group.

About two weeks ago, Gwen called FLT to share the news of an apartment offer. Together, Gwen and the FCC visited the apartment and Gwen signed the apartment lease. Gwen's Family Care Coordinator will continue to follow Gwen and plan to remain in contact with her by telephone and scheduled home visits as well as provide support and referrals to appropriate community services.