Isaiah

Isaiah’s youth was unstable and traumatic. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) was involved with the family very early on in his life. At age 13, Isaiah was placed at an out-of-state residential school after it was deemed he was a victim of sexual abuse and was continuing that pattern. After turning 18, Isaiah returned home where he engaged in significant physical aggression and property destruction. He also refused to keep up with his medications and began to abuse substances.

In June 2011, after a significant behavioral incident of physical aggression and homicidal ideation directed toward his father, 911 was called and Isaiah was taken to the hospital. He had become so volatile that his family refused to allow him to return home. Isaiah was sent to multiple unsuccessful placements at several group homes and ended up back in the hospital. He was unable to return to his previous group home and had nowhere to go. The Department of Developmental Services contacted Continuum of Care, Inc. for help and shortly after Isaiah was discharged to Continuum’s program for individuals with
intellectual disabilities and mental health disorders. The year was now 2013.

In the beginning of his stay with Continuum, Isaiah displayed episodes of intense physical aggression, property destruction, verbal aggression, and frequently ran away from the program. He struggled to regulate his emotions and was unable to manage his impulsivity. There was frequent police involvement and Isaiah was arrested on a number of occasions. 

Over time, with the help of consistent programming and staffing, Isaiah made a significant turn. He gained employment in the community and worked to purchase his own cell phone, with strict parameters for its use enforced. Continuum educated him on appropriate phone use and now he has full access. Isaiah feels good about his employment and he expresses a sense of pride over the wages he earns.

Today, Isaiah loves going to the gym, playing basketball, and going to church. He is respectful toward staff, his roommate, and his neighbors. He has learned to express himself appropriately and problem solve with staff assistance. Isaiah is consistent with attending his therapy sessions and even joined a men’s group which has helped him better understand himself. An outing to the casino was an idea that was once out of reach for him, but now he looks forward to his casino trips. Isaiah has come a long way to becoming the lovely young man he is today. We are so proud of him and the growth he has experienced since joining the Continuum family!