When Elyse’s children were temporarily removed from her care, everything changed overnight. Facing a child welfare case and the possibility of long-term separation, she was required to engage in intensive services to create a safe and stable home.

Within one month, her children were able to return.

That moment marked the beginning of a longer journey – one that Elyse did not navigate alone.

Through Children’s Aid’s Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) program, Elyse was paired with therapist Lida Sifalakis. Together, they worked side by side to address the challenges that had placed her family at risk – from unstable housing to school attendance, as well as the stress and trauma that made day-to-day responsibilities harder to manage.

For Lida, the work starts with building trust.

“Elyse had experienced significant trauma, which made it difficult to engage with service providers,” Lida explains. “My role was to meet her where she was and build that trust over time.”

That meant showing up consistently – whether Elyse was ready to engage or not.

“I stayed present, listened without judgment, and made sure Elyse knew I was there to support her,” Lida says.

As their partnership strengthened, so did Elyse’s confidence.

Together, they worked to stabilize her housing, improve communication with her child’s school, and establish routines that supported her children’s well-being. Lida also helped Elyse navigate systems that once felt overwhelming – while connecting her to additional resources through Children’s Aid’s broader team.

Over time, the changes became clear.

Where Elyse once felt overwhelmed and uncertain, she is now more confident in managing her household and advocating for her children. She attends school meetings, keeps up with medical appointments, and is able to address challenges as they arise.

Most importantly, her family is together – and on more stable ground.

During National Social Work Month, we recognize professionals like Lida who partner with families through some of their most difficult moments. At Children’s Aid, social workers don’t just provide services – they build relationships that help families move forward with stability, confidence, and hope.