Story of Hope: Mark Jackson
Story of Hope: Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson was assigned to a two child case in 2018. The children were removed due to extensive history with the department and drug use. Mary, the oldest, had severe medical needs including being on dialysis 3 times a week and Miles, a young sweet and very quiet boy. Mark hit the ground running and met the two separate kinship placements and quickly formed a bond with the children and caregivers. Mark spent a lot of time the next 2 years sitting with Mary while she received her dialysis treatments and took Miles out every chance he could so he could just be a kid.
The mother on the case did not complete any services and the children, especially Miles, did not want to return to her care. Her rights were terminated but everyone was overjoyed because the children had permanent homes with their kinship caregivers. Mary was PMC to a sister and Miles was pending adoption with a cousin and her partner. Mark decided he would step off the case but stay in contact and jump quickly into another case to help serve more children.
Through maintaining contact, Mark learned that Miles’ home had put notice on him and he was placed at a nearby RTC. He called his supervisor and let her know right away. He was immediately reassigned to Miles and went out to see him the very next day. The former caregivers informed Mark that Miles’ behaviors were out of control and he was running away so they could no longer care for him. Soon Mark would learn that Miles was having relationship issues and that he was trying to run from a fight.
Mark visited Miles at least 3 times monthly for the next couple of years. He continued contact with Mary and with the department’s permission, he would take Miles to see her on a regular basis. But in 2020 Mary unfortunately contracted COVID-19 and because of her severe medical needs her body could not fight hard enough, and she passed away. During this incredibly unfortunate time, Mark fought fiercely to ensure that Miles would get to attend her funeral and say his goodbyes. They attended the funeral where they both shared hugs and tears with the family and Mary’s caregivers.
Mark helped Miles through a failed adoption attempt and always made sure he had contact with his late sister’s former caregiver and his sister Karley. Mark pushed the department to look into placement with Karley, but the department refused due to an incident that occurred during the TMC case. During this time, the case went through 3 different caseworkers. With each new worker Mark brought up the possibility of placing Miles with Karley. With no movement, Mark ensured his recommendation was in every court report and advocated against all odds for this placement. After about 6 months, the ad litem was on board and began to push for this placement as well. Finally, after over a year of persistence Miles, now 13 years old, was placed with his sister Karley right before Thanksgiving of 2022.
Miles is now thriving and happy. Mark visits often and we hope to close the case soon with this happy ending. Without Mark, Miles would have lingered in care and most likely would have aged out at 18 with no family bond, or a home. He would have been left to figure out life alone and lost. Mark and advocates like him are the reason these children have hope and a chance of normalcy.
Thank you Mark for being the light in the darkness of foster care.
