Marcus* was nine years old when he entered foster care after his mother was unable to provide a safe, stable home. His grandmother, Mrs. Alvarez*, immediately offered to care for him. Mrs. Alvarez was a devoted grandmother, and Marcus had a strong relationship with her. But she struggled to navigate the foster care system and sometimes felt unprepared to be her grandson’s primary caregiver.

The county connected Mrs. Alvarez with Stanford Sierra Youth & Families, where she began working with Kim*, a kinship navigator. Kim helped Mrs. Alvarez understand the system and advocated for her in family court. She also connected her with a support group, where Mrs. Alvarez met other relative caregivers who’d stepped into the role of parent to their younger relatives. And Kim helped her understand how the trauma Marcus had been through could at times affect his behavior and emotional well-being.

At first, Marcus struggled to adjust to his new school. He became withdrawn and at home he spent most of the time in his room. He also worried about his mom and wondered if he’d ever live with her again. A Stanford Sierra therapist helped Marcus deal with his fears and develop ways to manage his anxiety and racing thoughts. When Marcus’s mother made a series of promises to Marcus that she failed to keep, the therapist helped Marcus and Mrs. Alvarez set healthy boundaries and manage their expectations without adding to their sense of uncertainty.

Over time, Marcus grew more comfortable in his grandmother’s home. He made friends at his new school, joined its robotics club, and with his therapist made great progress in understanding and managing his emotions. Mrs. Alvarez completed the resource-parent approval process and is now Marcus’s legal guardian. She credits the support she received from Stanford Sierra for helping her understand how to care for her grandson, help him heal, and advocate for him at school and within the child welfare system.

*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.​