Jones also recommends stories that show that social workers can have humor and nice, feel-good stories of children being returned to parents and about families rebuilding their lives. We met with Santa Clara social workers Linda Castaldi, Sonny Burgan, Dennis Wyatt, Javier Ramirez, Deborah Ackerman-Dohse, Steve Rosenburg, Kathy Ashizawa, and Janet Atkins, and with Los Angeles social workers Geoff Stephen and Judith Walter. Union field staff Wren Bradley and Danny Ramos assisted with setting up the focus groups and took part in the discussion. One worker points out that there are seven foster kids in her caseload who are in her daughter's class. We are all in it together.
Abused kids can grow up to become healthy and well-functioning adults .
Workers suggest telling the stories of the kids they have helped and how they have seen kids come into the system horribly traumatized from abuse and then heal and blossom through nurturing relationships. Even perpetrators can become adequate parents. An understanding, therapeutic relationship, therapy services, and hard work can transform even predators. Workers recall how, by being objective and not having preconceived notions, they have changed the patterns of sexual predators and transformed them into adequate parents who could raise their kids free from their past patterns. Many parents just need some basic services and economic help.