As told by Cindy Robbins-Roth, an Edgewood Turning Point Parent Partner. Identifying information has been removed to protect client confidentiality.

When April entered Edgewood’s Turning Point Program, she appeared very disheveled and not taking care of her hygiene or appearance; her mental illness symptoms were severe.  April was living in her parent’s home - no job, no activities, no friends, and she was not safe traveling in the community on her own. Her parents were physically afraid of her during her frequent rages, and their marriage was strained because of the chaos and continual need for vigilance at home. Mom was extremely frazzled - April called her at work literally every 10 minutes, and Mom was scared for April's safety while Mom was at work.
 
This was my very first family, when I joined Edgewood a year ago. Mom appeared on the verge of a breakdown, Dad was ready to seriously consider leaving the home, and both were feeling very isolated, exhausted and scared - for their safety and sanity, and for April's future.
 
A year later: April has made an incredible journey, working with her parents and her Edgewood team. She is a beautiful young woman who takes pride in her appearance, she is an expert in makeup and hair, and is always well-dressed. April learned to use the public bus system safely through her work with her Edgewood Behavior Coach and now travels independently to the Edgewood Drop Inn Center, the mall, and to visit friends.  April is working on artwork to sell at the first Drop in Center art sale in May, and she has buyers lined up already!
 
Edgewood has also helped her learn to keep appointments, talk through her concerns with others, start anger management counseling, and learn independent living skills (cooking, shopping, using public transportation, getting along with others). Though we'd love her to be in a more supportive, structured environment (none exist in the county beyond 90-day programs), April is now in a board-and-care. Her Edgewood team supported her and her parents through the transition period, providing daily check-ins, encouragement, and behavior coaching. Mom and Dad have participated in every family conference, and have expressed their real appreciation for Edgewood's support for the entire family.

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