Substance Abuse Case Study

Ryan is a 7-year-old boy who has been in foster care, in the same foster home, for nearly 3 years. CPS became involved in Ryan’s life when he was 2 years old, following reported concerns of domestic violence in the home of his biological parents. Police had responded to the home on several occasions, both before and after Ryan’s birth. CPS first attempted to stabilize the home placement of Ryan and his siblings by providing in-home services. Family preservation services were offered to the family with little success. Ryan’s parents continued to abuse drugs and alcohol. They remained engaged in an unhealthy and violent relationship, impacting the children.

After 3 months of service providers reporting ongoing and increasing safety concerns,

They have been planning to adopt Ryan but the lack of improvement in behavior has led to concern that they may not be able to manage him long term. Ryan’s foster father reports that most of the aggression is targeted at him. The foster parents also identify that Ryan expresses extreme fear of people with tattoos when they are out in public. At school, Ryan is doing well academically. He reads above his grade level. He has some friends, but is shy. He does not want other children to know that he is in foster care. Ryan participates in many sports, as his foster parents report his behaviors are better when he is kept

The legal process of appeal is holding up his adoption and delaying his sense of belonging. For years Ryan has been expressing his desire to be adopted and identifies his foster parents as his mom and dad. There is little that the team can do about this other than support Ryan and his feelings of frustration as this process drags on. If the appeal is granted and contact with his father is ordered, the team will need to rally around Ryan to ensure his stability during that time. It is recommended that the team continue to work with Ryan until the appeal process is done and there is a final legal resolution for this resilient and sweet young