We Have An(other) Emergency – Pt. 4

Ryan, 2

We got a call during work, asking if we had room to care for a two year old boy for the night. He and his two other siblings had been removed from their previous foster home, most likely a family friend or relative, because they failed to become emergency certified in the allowable time. We have no idea the circumstances surrounding the kiddo being in care, or why their initial placement failed to become certified, we just know that DHS called us frantically trying to find a home for one of the three siblings, and asked if we would be able to care for Ryan.

DHS was limited on staff that day, and the siblings had been at the office playing with toys, a caseworker and a volunteer most of the day, while the placement desk tried to find somewhere other than a hotel for them to go for the night. Since they were short staffed and scrambling, this was the first time we ever had to pick a kiddo up from the DHS office, and Aaron walked in and met all three siblings as well as the caseworkers, support workers and volunteers assisting with the case. It was a terrible experience picking Ryan up off the ground, having his siblings say “goodbye” to the baby in the family, and seeing the look of terror and confusion in Ryan’s eyes. From that moment on, Aaron was his person.

He was only with us for two nights. Thankfully, DHS found a family, who we believe knew the kids, who was able to care for all three children.  For the two nights that he was with us, he needed Aaron. Aaron was the only one who could comfort him. The only one who could hold him until he fell asleep. The only one, although a relative stranger, that he trusted. It was devastating to see the pain that foster care and multiple foster homes has on children, even when they are so young they probably won’t remember. There is no doubt that Ryan’s early childhood experience will have a lasting impact on his life, whether he knows it or not.

***This is the fourth post in a series documenting our experience having emergency placements. A link to other posts in this series is below***

We Have An Emergency

Pt. 2 – Brit, 16

Pt. 3 – Carlton, 8

Pt. 5 – Abram, 5

Pt. 6 – Charles, 8 – Alyssa, 2

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