Substance Use Disorders: Head Start Success Stories

Ari’s Story

Ari: I'm Ariel. I go by Ari. And I am a drug addict in recovery and a mom.

Jen: My name is Jen Merwin and I am a Early Head Start home visitor. Ari came home from sober living. And so, things seemed to be going in the right direction and seemed to be OK. I guess I was caught by surprise at the visit that I actually had with her, where I saw the needles coming out of her sweatshirt.

Ari: I could be on my way to go be picking up my child and find myself taking a left-hand turn to go get drugs instead, and there's nothing that can stop me. All I remember is them being like, "We can't leave your child with you like this."

Jen: Ari went away to treatment. I think a lot of people don't realize that when somebody is in recovery, it is common for them to relapse. I didn't judge her; she knew that I didn't judge her, and that allowed her to be open with me with her addiction, and I was still there to support her every way that I could.

Ari: The whole time that I was away in treatment, Jen was checking to make sure I was OK. So, she just reassures me that like I'm OK, he's OK, and we're going to be OK. That helps me because I'm like, "Whoa, somebody like professional is telling me that like I'm – I have a lot of strength and courage," and I don't hear that often, you know. And for me to take that and be like, "OK, well I'm going to show you I can be a mother." And for them to be like, "OK, we see it. 

You're doing what you need to be doing, like we're going to give you back your child." Like, that's huge. I can only imagine the pain that I've put people through, but god, am I happy that they stuck by me because if they didn't, I wouldn't – I wouldn't be here.

Jen: You're a piece of the puzzle of their life and it's yeah, it's pretty powerful.

Gina’s Story

Gina: I grew up in a house full of addiction from alcohol to drugs my entire life. Things in your past some -- sometimes catch up with you. I began to use drugs at the age of 26. During this time, I had gone to jail for two years straight. I even missed my son's second birthday. 

One day, while I was in jail, my case worker called me into her office, and said that she has a message from my son's day care. That a few members wanted to come visit me and try to make a way to bring my son, as well. You know, I was just like, "Wow!" It was that moment that I realized that there were still people in this world that care not only about me, the messed-up addict, but the welfare of my child and my family.

It was all from the heart, like I felt it. I came home from jail and I went straight to the day care to thank all those staff members. Those women believed in me and saw more in me each day.

They gave me brochures for job openings and getting me to and from appointments to guide me in a positive and stable path in my life.

And so, the goal is to be a better mom, to be a better person. And I'm sober. So. 

[Laughing]

Can you imagine? So, yeah. 

Delia’s Story

Delia Ramirez: My name is Delia Ramirez, and I am a grandparent raising grandchildren. I was found at home with two babies 24/7, [Laughing] and with problems. The oldest one was having terrible tantrums and situations, and it was very hard. I felt kind of defeated. I did not know anyone to go to. I remembered Head Start, never knowing what a fabulous program this was. I never imagined that they were going to be taking care of the girls, teaching the girls, and helping the family as a whole. They gave me the opportunity of taking college courses. They gave me the opportunity to tell my story, to be able to help other people. They took me to Washington to talk to Senators and Congresspeople Me!

[Laughing]

I feel empowered now, as a grandmother and as a mother and as a person going through this opioid crisis. And I feel confident that my grandchildren will be good, just because they went to Head Start.