We Finally Felt Like We Weren’t Doing It Alone
When Sarah and Mike’s son, Ethan, began struggling with anxiety and behavioral challenges in elementary school, they quickly found themselves overwhelmed.
“We were getting calls from school almost every week,” Sarah recalled. “Ethan was having trouble focusing in class, his anxiety was getting worse, and we didn’t know where to turn. We were trying our best as parents, but it felt like we were constantly putting out fires.”
The family spent months searching for resources, scheduling appointments, and trying to navigate a system they didn’t fully understand.
“Every provider seemed to give us another phone number to call,” Mike said. “There were so many services available, but figuring out what Ethan qualified for and how everything worked together was exhausting.”
Everything changed when they connected with a Children’s Mental Health Targeted Case Manager (CMH-TCM) at Reach for Resources.
“Our case manager, April, immediately made us feel heard,” Sarah said. “Instead of telling us what we should do, she sat down with us, listened to our concerns, and helped us create a plan.”
Through Reach’s CMH-TCM program, the family received ongoing support coordinating appointments, accessing community resources, communicating with school staff, and identifying services that matched Ethan’s needs.
“It was such a relief knowing there was someone in our corner,” Mike said. “Our case manager, April, helped connect all the pieces. Suddenly, everyone was working together instead of us trying to manage everything on our own.”
The support extended beyond Ethan.
“One thing I didn’t expect was how much support we would receive as parents,” Sarah shared. “April checked in regularly, helped us understand what was happening, and reminded us that we weren’t failing. We were just navigating something difficult.”
Over time, Ethan began building confidence. He developed stronger coping skills, became more successful at school, and started participating in activities he once avoided.
“We’ve seen such a difference,” Sarah said. “He’s happier, more independent, and better able to communicate when he’s struggling.”
For Ethan, one of the biggest changes was simply feeling understood.
“He knows there are adults who support him and want him to succeed,” Mike said. “That has made a huge impact on his confidence.”
Looking back, the family says having a Reach case manager was one of the most important factors in helping them move forward.
“Children’s Mental Health Targeted Case Management gave us direction when we felt completely lost,” Sarah said. “We finally felt like we weren’t doing it alone.”
Today, the family encourages other parents facing similar challenges to reach out for support.
“You don’t have to have all the answers,” Mike said. “Having someone help navigate the journey can make all the difference.”
As Ethan continues to grow and reach new milestones, Sarah remains thankful for the continued partnership that helps their family find stability and hope.
“April, our Reach case manager helps us focus on our son’s strengths instead of just his challenges,” she said. “That changed everything.”
The names and identifying details in this story have been changed to protect the privacy of the family. Their experience reflects the type of support and impact Children’s Mental Health Targeted Case Management can provide through Reach for Resources.