A Tale of Two Moms

Who battled addiction and won, to get their kids back.

Several years ago, Crystal Garduno hit rock bottom. “My kids were removed from me and I was struggling with addiction,” Crystal said. “I faced what felt like an insurmountable obstacle to get my kids back. I was about to lose everything that I had ever cared about and was ready to give up.” But one afternoon, everything changed. “I was sitting in an office lobby waiting for my Standard Out-Patient treatment to start when I overheard a conversation between two women that provided me with a glimmer of hope,” she said. One of the women was recounting how her children were removed from her after she nodded off behind the wheel of a car with her children inside. The woman had also had her children removed from her care, but she was reunited with them after she attended an alternative drug treatment program through the court.

“I wanted to know more,” Crystal said. “I wanted to find out who this woman was and learn about the program that changed her life.” Crystal discovered the woman was a recovery coach working at Terros and that she was reunited with her children with help of a program called Family Treatment Court. Family Treatment Court was designed for parents with an open child dependency case and have a history of substance abuse. The program was created to help parents battle addiction so they can get their kids back. The program’s reunification success rate is 94 percent. “I immediately tried to figure out how I could qualify for that program and how do I obtain what she had accomplished,” Crystal said. “Even though I felt hopeless and at my lowest point, her story inspired me to push forward.”

Crystal consulted with her attorney. Her attorney advised her that she needed to request a referral from the judge on her case. “I will never forget the day I sat in front of presiding Judge Colleen McNally to ask for help,” Crystal said. “Judge McNally wore a robe and held a position of power over my life. Yet, she viewed my case with compassion and treated me with dignity.” From that day forward, Crystal felt empowered. She was no longer combative towards everyone trying to help her. She was a star at every court hearing she attended. “I made all my calls, attended all of my classes and, most importantly, never missed a test,” Crystal said.

Anytime Crystal confronted a roadblock in her case, the Family Drug Treatment Court was there to work with her to find a resolution. “I felt like I discovered the secret ingredient to getting my kids back,” she said. “Seven months after joining the Family Treatment Court, I maintained my sobriety, got my kids back, and was employed through the Maricopa County Superior Court Juvenile Department as a recovery Support Specialist. In other words, I got my life back.” Crystal’s work at the Maricopa County Superior Court allowed her to inspire other parents, such as Lindsey Shine.

“One day, after having a bad day in court, my attorney mentioned a program called Family Treatment Court,” Lindsey said. “I knew there was a problem, but felt lost inside. My case plan was severance and adoption, so by the time I got to into the program things felt pretty hopeless.” She met Crystal while enrolled in the program. “I was supported by an amazing Parent Ally named Crystal Garduno,” she said. With Crystal’s help, Lindsey learned how to manage her substance abuse, advocate for herself and provided her support during her dependency case.

“I won't lie, it was a lot of hard work, and no one waved a magic wand to fix me, but having their support empowered me to take ownership of my case and put me back in the driver’s seat,” Lindsey said. Lindsey maintained her sobriety and was reunited with her children a few months after graduating from the program. “I'm living a life with my family, which I never would have imagined,” Lindsey said.

Reunited with her children, Lindsey currently works as Parent Ally and provides support and guidance to other families struggling with substance abuse and dependency cases. Crystal and Lindsey share their stories to give hope to other families that have Department of Child Safety involvement as well as to use their voices to represent parents and to let them know that there is always hope for a better tomorrow.

Family Drug Treatment Court can be a support for those navigating through the Child Welfare System for Maricopa County courts. For Additional information, please contact Cradle to Crayons Child Welfare Centers, Phone Number: (602) 506-5094.