We frequently have mothers whose babies must be removed by Child Protective Services, or mothers who are drug addicted, and their babies must remain with us for treatment of withdrawal. Cindy consistently puts judgment aside. She validates them as mothers who do love their babies. She is gentle with their emotions, but firm with expectations. She wants them to succeed in doing what’s best for the baby, whatever that might be; many times a difficult challenge.
Cindy recently diffused a volatile situation in which the concern was that the teen mother and the teen father were in a flight risk with the baby after learning that the baby was going to Child Protective Services. Emotions ran high. Cindy spent an hour with them; talked to them at a level they could understand and was able to convince them to accept the situation.
I have witnessed Cindy work with our drug addicted moms, teaching them how to care for their baby, encouraging them, validating them, all without judgment. She truly makes a difference in our baby’s lives, the lives of the mother and father, and of the family. MHP is fortunate to have her on staff and I am honored to work with her.