Many children experience trauma as a result of abuse or neglect and being removed from their homes can even be traumatizing. Since 1958, Girlstown has been a home for girls in foster care who have are having difficulty coping with their past trauma.

Ciara’s mother had a long history of abuse and neglect allegations and when she was 11, Ciara was removed from her mom and put into foster care with her aunt. A few months later, the aunt reported that Ciara was having crying spells, would not listen to direction and was disruptive in her home.  Ciara was assessed for residential placement and was placed at Girlstown in May 2019, she was 12 years old.  During her initial months at Girlstown, Ciara continued to experience crying spells, she demonstrated disrespectful behaviors towards staff and did not want to attend school.  Ciara was a follower and when her peers would act out, she would try and replicate the behavior.   

Ciara received therapeutic and psychiatric services during her time at Girlstown.  She assessed and treated with therapy and medication to help improve her mood.  Van Buren schools assessed her for special education support and Ciara qualified for services.  With the right kind of support, her attitude and behavior improved, she was evolving. She developed some positive relationships with her peers and staff members at Girlstown, which allowed her to progress through the level system and earn extra privileges. Ciara was having consistent visits with her brother during her time at Girlstown. In-person visitation with her sisters was more sporadic, but they were able to have phone and virtual visits.

Ciara’s parental rights were terminated in 2019. After parental rights were terminated, she was available to be adopted and she was excited to be adopted. Adoptive families were identified for Ciara, but twice they changed their minds. She was once hopeful but was building resentment toward the families and the system for letting her down.

In early 2021, a third adoptive family was identified for Ciara. She was excited to be placed in the foster home in April 2021.  Ciara was nervous about no longer being placed at Girlstown since she was in the program for 2 years.  The staff and other residents were very supportive and encouraging to Ciara during her transition.

Girlstown staff have maintained contact with Ciara and her foster family through monthly visits to assist with the transition and provide resources for any identified needs.  Things were going well when services closed, but a month later, Ciara ran away from the foster home and called Girlstown. The staff at Girlstown helped contact the police and Ciara’s foster care team at DHHS. Over the course of the next few days, it was determined that Ciara would not return to that foster home and no other foster homes were available for her. When Girlstown got the call to consider placement for Ciara, they were happy to have her come home to our program.

The Girlstown residential program is highly structured, and it is led by a staff team that really cares about the kids placed with us. While most kids claim to hate the rules, they grow to rely on the consistency that is matched with care and empathy of staff. It is a safe environment for them to work through their trauma. Ciara has had a lifetime of disappointment in her 15 years of life. Creating real connections and trusting others is really hard for her. The Girlstown staff are committed to being reliable so that Ciara can learn to trust others. We believe that she will be ready for the right family one day. We are committed to cheering her on, all the way.