News @ the 112

This story comes from Adam’s adoptive parent, Krissie Lenahan, sharing their family’s remarkable three-year journey through Central Park’s Early Head Start and ECEAP programs.

Adam came to us through the foster care system around 11 months old. He was malnourished, neglected, and a witness to domestic violence. Adam had spent so much time in a car seat that his first social worker told me his back was shaped like one. He was also diagnosed with Failure to Thrive and below 1% on the growth chart.

Our journey began by enrolling Adam in Central Park’s Early Head Start Program. Our primary goal was to provide this child with love and nutritious food. Over the next three years, Adam has experienced both challenges and profound successes!

Challenges:

• Severe ear infections, which resulted in fevers and seizures, and necessitated eight rounds of antibiotics
• Big emotions, including outbursts that include hitting others and/or self-harm
• Diagnosed with Extreme Reaction to Stress
• Fear of loud voices
• Difficulty with transitions
• High levels of energy that often need to be redirected
• Sensory-seeking behaviors, like spinning, heavy work, fidgeting, and punching pillows
• Routines and behaviors around food and mealtime still need a lot of support
• Familial relationships, like with Adam’s brother, have had their ups and downs

Successes:

• He moved up the growth chart and out of the danger zone
• He exceeded the physical, language, and social goals we set with teachers at school
• Went from being slow to walk to being quite the athlete, and could dribble a soccer ball with amazing precision at age 3
• Attended visits with his biological family often and continued his very close relationship with his sister (we gained an extended family!)
• Moved up to the ECEAP program and continued at Central Park, making solid friendships

On August 23, 2024, we adopted Adam!

The staff at Central Park showed incredible support by sending four staff members and one student to witness this life-changing event with Adam.

What Supports Do We Have Now Because of ESD 112?

Adam continues to thrive at Columbia ECEAP because of the following supports that are available:

• Staff who are trauma-informed and highly trained (monthly professional development!)
• Daily communication and pictures through the Procare app (they ask families their preferred methods of communication)
• Breakfast, lunch, and snacks
• Diapers (when he needed them)
• Behavior plan (they ensured all members of the team were on the same page: teacher, Family Support Specialist, SEL Specialist, and parent)
• Teachers who go the extra mile (lesson plans and thematic units based on kids’ interests, meetings with the developmental preschool team, frequent communication with me)
• Staff is always ready with strategies and tools: rating scale, spinning, heavy work, calm down corner, exposure to sign language, and Spanish

Additionally, ESD 112 provides:

• Free transportation to and from Developmental Preschool at his elementary school
• Support with Adam’s evaluation for Special Education (IEP)
• ECLIPSE therapist who provides social-emotional support in-home or at school once a week
• Family Support Specialist meetings four times per year for resources and support
• Parent education
• Parent-child psychotherapy through AKIN (play therapy)
• Policy council opportunity once per month

ESD 112 continues to support Adam through programs that meet my kid where he’s at, wrap him with support, care, and expertise, and help him climb a little higher EVERY. DAY.