Today, Mateo* is a cheerful eight-year-old who loves soccer, drawing superheroes, and riding his bike with his younger sister, Elena* (5). The siblings live with their mother in a small apartment filled with artwork taped to the refrigerator and books stacked beside their beds. Their mother works mornings and afternoons at a restaurant while the kids are at school and then picks them up and brings them home.  Life comes with challenges, but the family faces them together. It wasn’t always this way.

Several years ago, Mateo and Elena were removed from their mother’s care after concerns about neglect and unsafe living conditions related to their mother’s untreated mental health challenges and substance abuse. The children entered foster care, frightened and confused, moving between temporary placements while their mother struggled to stabilize her life. The separation was heartbreaking for all three of them.

The county referred the family to Stanford Sierra Youth & Families (SSYAF), where Carla*, one of the agency’s social workers, began supporting both the children and their mother through the reunification process. Mateo and Elena were eventually placed with a compassionate foster (resource) family committed to helping the siblings maintain their connection with their mother while she worked toward reunification.

Carla coordinated closely with the county, the foster (resource) family, therapists, and the children’s mother to create a plan focused on stability, healing, and consistent family connections. She helped arrange regular visits, encouraged open communication between everyone involved, and supported the children through the emotional ups and downs that often followed visits with their mom.

Meanwhile, Mateo and Elena’s mother committed herself fully to reunification. With SSYAF’s support and encouragement, she engaged in counseling, completed parenting classes, maintained sobriety, and secured stable housing. Over time, her visits with Elena and Mateo grew longer and more frequent. The children’s anxiety eased, and trust started to rebuild.

Last year, Mateo and Elena returned home permanently. Today, the family continues to receive support from Stanford Sierra Youth & Families as they adjust to life together again. Mateo proudly says his favorite part of the day is eating dinner with his mom and sister “because everybody is home again.”

*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.