Overview

Based on a true story, Some Way Home is the account of the handling and healing of Dylan, a prototypical foster child. He comes into this world a fairly anonymous character and is soon sent wandering through the government's child protection agencies in search for a home. He lacks a stable family to hold, care, or protect him; so early on, he is subjected to several, significant traumas of abuse and abandonment. He suffers but strives to survive emotionally until his mental health is challenged to the point of psychosis. After Dylan's first short stay in foster care, he and his brother, move in with their Aunt Patti, who wishes to adopt them. There Dylan and Patti fall in love. Unfortunately, Patti is also living with her boyfriend, Bruce, who becomes the bad daddy. Eventually, after various episodes of brutality and loss, Dylan is permanently removed from Patti and placed into the foster care systems again. The narrative continues as Dylan's social worker, Adam McDonnell, tries to heal his hurt and place him into a safe environment. However, reality intervenes in the appearance of abnormal behaviors that surface when a child is isolated, beaten and confronted by true rejection. Distress and the will to survive generate the little boy's desire to earn some value in society. Even after a complete deterioration in a disastrous second placement, his third placement brings new hope when Dylan learns of love again. But this positive period rapidly slips away with an increase in Dylan's impulsive and destructive behaviors that define him as a severe management problem. A permanent placement, an adoptive home, is Dylan's only hope but opportunities look bleak due to the systemic inadequacies of agency work.

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9781502997128

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David J. Kenney is a noted speaker having presented to parent and professional groups at colleges, universities and educational in-services on topics such as healing trauma, stress management, anxiety reduction, helping children with attention deficits, behavior as language, general parenting and achieving success in our schools. In 1986, David graduated, magna cum laude, from the University of Detroit - Mercy with a bachelor's degree in psychology and again as a Specialist in School Psychology in 1989. He served as President of the Michigan Association of School Psychologists in 1997-98 and was liaison to the Michigan State Board of Education from 1995 to 1997. As an undergraduate student, David was invited to the 1985 National Fairweather conference to present a program he developed using creative writing with chronic, schizophrenic patients. This project was spotlighted in the Detroit Free Press on August 30, 1985. But all achievements pale when compared to raising traumatized children to a healthy maturity. Children wounded by the world have been given little reason to trust it, so there were no guarantees of successful outcomes. Through his committed efforts, David learned strategies to heal harmed children. His expertise and insight has been noted by colleagues, who continue to seek him out for mentoring and training. Barbara Kenney began her career by counseling emotionally disturbed children. She earned a bachelor's degree in Human Services in 1976 from Ferris State followed by a master's degree in Administration from Central Michigan University. In 1977, Barb helped establish a locked program for delinquent girls at Vista Maria. Barb was instrumental in program development for this secured facility, designing and establishing structure and treatment for residents. From 1979 to 1993, Barbara was a case manager for schizophrenics at an innovative agency that provided services to the mentally ill within the community. While there, she was recognized as an exemplary public speaker and trainer. Fifteen years later, Barb left social work to tend to the special needs of our adopted children. While they attended elementary school, she was an active and positive influence on the whole community. For three years, she acted as president and vice president for the Parent-Teacher Association. In the recognition of her substantial efforts and clear vision, she was conferred with a distinguished service award in 1999.

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