As a Case Manager for Lutheran Services Florida, in Partnership with Eckerd Community Alternatives, Teri conducts family visits on a monthly basis, assists with providing food and clothing, works with parental involvement and advocates for the children and families.

For example, Teri worked tirelessly to reunite a broken family. The sole provider was taken into custody and had no idea her children would be taken away. Teri located a foster home for the children and met with the mother often for guidance and support. The mother was released and Teri continued to work with her through the frustration of the process of getting her children back. She created a support system for the mother and advocated an in-home intensive parenting counseling and a therapeutic system to be in place so the mother could learn and understand how to be an effective parent. Teri was also on call and available for the children, all of which led to the family being reunited.

Teri’s approach in making a difference in the lives of others is by taking into account the past, with the ability to look forward. In that way, she learns how people have responded before and how they will respond going forward, which assists her in finding ways to communicate with a better outcome on an individual basis.