as of May 1, 2012 - Childhaven

Justina and her family
Perfecting the recipe for a happy,
healthy family
Justina Houston loves her three children—“they’re my heart,” she says. But there was a time when all that
love just wasn’t enough.
Shortly after her daughter, Serenity, was born in 2003, a boyfriend introduced Justina to the powerfully
addictive world of meth. Abused herself as a child, Justina became involved in a drug-fueled abusive adult
relationship. Even after son Josiah was born, followed 10 months later by his brother, Joel, the lure of
meth was still too powerful to resist.
“My kids were always clean and fed, but I wasn’t there for them emotionally,” Justina says.
When Child Protective Services stepped in and she faced the prospect of losing her children forever,
Justina vowed to change. She left her violent relationship, entered rehab and, after a few stumbles,
recently celebrated one year clean and sober.
While Justina pulled her life together, Josiah and Joel lived with their grandparents and went
to Childhaven. Here, they found a calm daily routine and the therapy to deal with their anger,
fear and confusion.
Their mother found the knowledge and skills to become the focused and wholly present
parent her kids needed. By working with Childhaven’s teachers and participating in Parent Child
Interactive Training, Justina learned how to listen and praise, to set limits and rules, and to discipline
positively and consistently. Added to the ingredient that had been there all along—love—the family is
beginning to thrive.
“Kids need to know they’re safe and that the parent is in control. Without limits, it can be scary and
overwhelming to a child,” explains the family’s Childhaven case manager, Mary Dunbar. “Justina now
knows how to manage her children’s behaviors and has become a more confident mother. After being
separated, they’re rebuilding their relationship.”
CHILDHAVEN Successes and Opportunities 11