Five years ago, I met Jeff, a 7 year-old boy who was admitted to the CBH program.  During the first few camp weekends and throughout the first summer, Jeff often ended up in my office.  Once it was for hitting a counselor with a stick, and once it was for bullying a whole room full of boys at night after lights out.

After the first week at camp, I finally struck a deal with Jeff.  If he could get through each day without any problems, I would spend 20 minutes with him walking along the bay after dinner.  Jeff had an insatiable curiosity for sea life and inevitably he would end up running through the shallow water chasing sea creatures.

It was during these walks in the first few weeks at camp that we gained insight into who Jeff was.  He was being pulled between a mother and a father who were divorcing, fighting, and not paying attention to him.  He had some serious neurological issues but since his family had no health insurance, and struggled to make ends meet, there were few resources to identify and address his challenges. 

Several times I found myself wondering how he would ever face his challenges and how he would become "effective in his family and community," as is mandated by our mission. 

 I will never forget the time his case manager danced into my office telling me that she had just completed a 3 hour meeting at Jeff's school regarding Jeff and his performance and it was all POSITIVE!!  To make the day even better, after the meeting, Jeff asked if he could ride home with "Ms. Laura" which was a significant step of trust and confidence.  I quickly reminisced of our walks on the bay and of Jeff's energy and excitement.

Now, at age 12, Jeff faces the pressures of adolescence and the transition to middle school.  He continues to have a tough road ahead of him, but he faces it with a stronger family structure, good medical and therapeutic care, and several key champions within CBH.  He is on his way to being a CBH success story. 

This is not just a warm and fuzzy story.  Our success with Jeff, and any other success we may have, has to do with a very carefully structured program - flexible enough to meet the variety of our children's needs.  The research provides a road map.  It boldly and simply states that children thrive when families are strong and when there are competent, caring adults in long-term relationships with them.