Justin Springer is one of our amazing foster care case managers. When he’s not at work, Justin is a year-round griller (according to him “there is no grilling season”) and he grills some mean ribs. He’s also busy wrangling his own three children at home along with his wife, Anna.
How long have you been working with children and families?
I previously worked 7½ years with the Division of Youth Services as a group leader in one of their moderate care facilities. I have been at Cornerstones for 1½ years now.
What do you do in your role at Cornerstones of Care?
Case managers do a ton! If I were to pare it down, the most essential thing would be working to help make sure whatever brought a child into care is changed so that they can be safe. There is so much that goes into that, like working with the courts, parents, kids, placement providers, schools, therapists, parent aides, etc.
What would you like the public to know about the work you do?
I hear a lot from parents I work with, “Oh, you just want to take kids from their parents.” That is not at all what we do. In fact, I want to get those parents who are in tough places to be the best parents they can be. I think if there is any way possible to keep the family intact safely, the better off everyone is in the long run. Being a parent is tough, and giving families the right tools to work with can make lasting changes not only in their family but within their community as well.
What keeps you going when it gets difficult?
When you can watch a parent make the changes they need to reunify with their children. I think we get people at one of their lowest points in life. But the challenge of drawing the good things out of a person at that moment — when they might not be able to see it in themselves — and then helping them get there is awesome to be a part of. Adoptions too. Those definitely keep you going! Those are always happy times for kids who have been in care for a while.
Any recent examples?
Recently I had a case where the mom was doing as much as she could. It wasn’t everything that the courts wanted to see, but it was a lot. She was doing a great job parenting her kids, and everyone was safe. Her kids were on what is called a trial home visit, and when we went to court, we asked for the release of jurisdiction. I was apprehensive that they would agree, but they did, and she was able to reunify with her kids safely. It was a nice surprise, and I have never seen that mom so happy!
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