FaDSS SUCCESS STORY by Jodi Suntken

“Karla” has been a FaDSS participant since August 2005. She was just released from Prairie Ridge Treatment Center shortly before she enrolled into FaDSS. She was treated for drug abuse. Her parents were acting as her payee, and caring for her three year old son, “Mark.” She had worked sporadically. She suffered from anxiety and panic attacks intermittently. She was a single mother. Her son’s father was a drug addict who continued to abuse drugs and alcohol. She struggled to attend her PROMISE JOBS appointments at the Workforce Center in Mason City. She was living on $361.00/mo., food stamps and rental assistance.

Since enrolling in FaDSS, many positive changes have occurred in the lives of Karla and Mark. Karla is in the process of being diagnosed as bi-polar, after the Family Development Specialist observed behaviors associated with the disorder and Karla was urged to seek assistance. This step will enable the client to become stable mentally in order to hold down a full time job, or to attend NIACC, both options which the client would like to pursue. Karla is now acting as her own payee with monthly discussions with the Family Development Specialist about her budget and budgeting choices. She passed the HUD inspections process after assisting her landlord with the painting of her home. Karla accepted referrals to LIHEAP, Head Start, and The Mental Health Center of North Iowa. She attended PROMISE JOBS appointments readily and participated in discussions of her goals with the workers involved. She has learned to advocate for herself. Karla is a better parent. She makes wise choices for her son. Mark was fitted for a hearing aid, and was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD. Karla follows through with her medical appointments for herself and her son. She completed applications for SSI for them both also. Her son was diagnosed as diabetic, and she is following through with the diet guidelines she must follow for Mark. She has in-home counseling arranged for Mark to facilitate and assist in managing his behaviors. With the specialist’s assistance she has learned about many resources available to her in the community.

Participant’s quote recently provided to the Iowa Legislature: “I am writing this letter to say thank you for the FaDSS Program in Cerro Gordo County. I have greatly appreciated it and don’t know what I would do without it. I am a single mother of a very active little boy and Jodi has been a great helping improving my parenting skills and giving me helpful advice. Jodi is also a part of my support system. Besides her all I have are my parents. Jodi has also helped me to improve my self esteem and she has helped me get through the meetings with my PROMISE JOBS worker, which I dread going to. Jodi is teaching me how to budget wisely and to become financially responsible for myself, which has not been easy for me. Jodi has helped me through some pretty rough times and it is nice to know I have someone like her to count on. I think of Jodi as a friend, not my family worker. She tried really hard to answer my questions, but if she is unable to, I know she will find someone who can. Without Jodi, I wouldn’t know about half of the resources available to me in Mason City. I have also taken advantage of the “Basic Essentials Pantry” and have found it to be useful when I am out of food and have no food stamps left for the month.”