Clark County Success Story
Ashley is Clark County’s newest Ohio START graduate.
Ashley was a young mother struggling to parent her newborn daughter when she agreed to participate in Ohio START. Ashley was empowered to stand up for herself in some difficult situations and made tremendous progress.
She is now in sober living with her daughter, obtaining her GED, and considering becoming a peer mentor. On April 8, Ashley graduated from Ohio START and thanked both her addiction facility group and her Ohio START caseworker and peer mentor for helping her walk a pathway to sobriety. Her mother, with tears, said, “I got my girl back!”
Tuscarawas County Success Story
START caseworker Malissa shared a positive encounter with a youth that stemmed from using a START engagement approach.
When they first met, the teen was withdrawn, sitting with her knees to her chest, not talking to the caseworker. Malissa introduced herself and explained the support that would be provided to the mother through Ohio START. The teen asked if she could be a support for her mother, and Malissa responded with an enthusiastic “Absolutely.”
Malissa informed the teen about the principles in Dr. Nicole Labor’s presentations and encouraged the teen to watch the recording. Initially, the teen did not want to see her mother, but by the end of the meeting, she wanted to plan a visit. Malissa said she could see the tension in the teen melt away. After the foster home visit, the resource parent contacted Malissa to share how helpful the visit was for the teen.