Dear Parents,
A few months ago, we were in your shoes. Our son was a residential treatment program client for 2 years. The thought of bringing him home was filled with a range of emotions- excited, nervous, happy, petrified- to name a few. We were thrilled to finally have our family together again but afraid of how it would turn out. We felt confident that the staff had done everything possible to prepare our son and us but we worried about success once he returned home given the new challenges he would face.
Toward the end of his stay at the program, we were introduced to the transition company Homeward Bound. We knew that we would need help and support once we got home and were relieved that this program was offered. The first step was a meeting with our transition coach, before we headed home. We were told that the meeting would be about 4 hours long and to be truthful, we wondered what more they could tell us that we hadn’t already heard. Well, we’re happy to tell you that it was an incredibly worthwhile 4 hours and I’m glad we chose the option to have that meeting.
Our transition coach, was phenomenal. She took the time to get to know our family and understand the uniqueness of our situation. Although there are some common issues that families face, she recognized that there wasn’t one magical blueprint that works for everyone. She gave us encouragement, confidence and peace of mind that we’re not doing this alone. Meeting with her in person allowed us to really connect with her so that our weekly phone conversations seemed personal although we were never face to face.
She helped us understand what the transition would be like. She prepared us so that when we do hit bumps in the road, we are able to address them in a way that is productive and not destructive. She is reassuring and validating yet able to give us clear direction and guidance in how to handle particular situations. The parenting principles are the foundation for a successful transition and given the support and guidance of the transition counselor, we are better able to consistently apply them in real life situations.
It has been 3 1/2 months since our son came home. We’ve had our share of ups and downs and expect that will continue for a while. We can’t imagine what the transition would have looked like had we not used the services of Homeward Bound.
We hope that your family finds success.
Sincerely,
Ellen and Dave Dufresne
Illinois
