Public Health Management Corporation

I am writing to share my experience with Family Based Services now that almost a year has passed and I have had time to fully understand the long‑term impact on my family. I want to begin by acknowledging that there were individuals on my team who genuinely cared and put in meaningful effort, and I am grateful for those people. My intention is not to discredit the entire program, as I do believe it was built with good intentions. However, I feel it is important to be honest about the harm that occurred and the challenges I continue to face as a result. During our meetings, certain statements were made that have continued to affect my home life. Some of the comments led my daughter to believe she was not heard or seen, and others placed responsibility and blame on me in ways that were deeply painful. As a parent who has dedicated my entire life to supporting her mental health, hearing those things left me feeling powerless and defeated, despite the fact that I had been actively seeking help for years. These words did not remain within the walls of the sessions; they influenced how my daughter communicates with me and added to the emotional burden I was already carrying. Nearly a year later, I remain the sole provider for my household while also caring for my daughter and my newborn grandson. I am working three jobs, managing every responsibility alone, and doing my best to maintain stability without any support system. My daughter is now 18, yet I still have to encourage her daily to take her medication and stay consistent with her care. I do not have family to rely on, and the two relatives I did have were pushed away after one particular meeting. When the team left, I immediately regretted ever asking for help, because instead of feeling supported, I was left feeling more isolated and overwhelmed than before. I am sharing this because I hope the program will take time to reflect on how its words, methods, and approaches can shape a family long after services end. Parents who reach out for support should not walk away carrying more weight than when they began, and no parent should be left feeling more powerless after seeking help for their child.