(Finally) Home with Dad

There were so many strikes against LW that giving his children a secure home for over two years is “amazing” to Tammy Boudreau, Community Support Specialist at CAT. Tammy met LW as he transitioned out of a bug-infested apartment, after living in shelters for over a year.

LW is a 46-year-old Indigenous male with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). He came to the city because he heard his children were put in care after their mother was apprehended for drug use. Before moving to the city, she had LW unknowingly sign away his rights to the children.

When Tammy started working with LW, advocating for him to have regular visits with his children was key. The consistency and quality of those visits led to LW getting his children back. Then Tammy helped LW apply for a 3-bedroom townhouse through Capital Region housing. He'd followed up on that application every week.

Despite multiple challenges, Tammy describes LW as a very capable and responsible dad. He has learned to manage his FAS and has good cooking and money management skills. As soon as the children moved in there were behavioral challenges but, with love and consistency, those subsided. LW arranged for them to attend a local school where he attended a parenting group during school hours. He was also supported by the school Social Worker and engaged with the community nurse for his son’s medical needs.

As LW met with Tammy to close his file, his last words were: “It was a long road but well-worth it.” Congratulations to Tammy, the CAT team, and to all the GSS program staff who help clients travel their long roads successfully.

Update Note: After talking with LW recently, Tammy found out his FAS worker fell through so she provided the contact information for the Program Director of that service. LW is finally willing to advocate for himself not just his children so Tammy is confident he will success in arranging that important ongoing support.