Kyla plays middle school volleyball, belongs to a circle of friends, and lives with her parents, who love and support her through the challenges of growing up. One might assume Kyla’s life has always been like this. But it hasn’t.

Several years ago, a police officer noticed a young girl sitting on a park swing by herself as dusk approached. The officer searched the park and found Kyla’s mom in the public restroom, unconscious from drug use.

The county placed Kyla with a family friend to provide Kyla some familiarity, while her mother worked toward reunification. But the placement failed. Kyla’s next placement showed promise, and Kyla stayed with the resource family for two years. But when the father’s job required a move, Kyla stayed behind, hoping to reunite with her mother.

Kyla was then placed in a group home. It was supposed to be temporary, but she refused to consider other placements. Her grades dropped and she became defiant and withdrawn. That’s when Dina, a Stanford Sierra Youth & Families social worker, became involved. Though Kyla was reluctant, she eventually agreed with Dina’s suggestion and started working with a Stanford Sierra therapist.

Therapy helped Kyla manage her emotions and improve her behavior. Her grades rose, and she joined the volleyball team. Teamwork and time spent with her social worker and therapist helped Kyla see relationships differently. She began to value them. One day, Kyla told Dina she was saddened by her mother’s inability to reunite. But spending time with her volleyball friends and their families helped Kyla realize something. She wanted a family too. 

Dina soon found the Bennetts, a young couple interested in adoption. After several meetings, Kyla and the Bennetts decided to move forward. The Bennetts completed a home study and took classes on childhood trauma to better support Kyla’s needs. That was last year.

Today, Kyla plays volleyball, belongs to a circle of friends, and lives with her parents, the Bennetts, who love and support her through the challenges of growing up. Stanford Sierra continues to play a part.

*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.​