Head Start has played a crucial role in several journeys to recovery for families affected by the opioid crisis. In this video series, explore these stories from three Head Start families. Meet Ari, an Early Head Start parent, who shares how with the support of her Early Head Start home visitor she persevered in her recovery. Gina shares how Head Start reached out to her in prison, and how positive guidance from her son's Head Start program helped her beat addiction. And lastly, Delia discusses how Head Start helped her raise two grandchildren when her own child was struggling with substance use.
Ari's Story
Ari’s Story
Ari: I'm Ariel. I go by Ari. And I am a drug addict in recovery and a mom.
Jen: My name is Jen Merwin and I am a Early Head Start home visitor. Ari came home from sober living. And so, things seemed to be going in the right direction and seemed to be OK. I guess I was caught by surprise at the visit that I actually had with her, where I saw the needles coming out of her sweatshirt.
Ari: I could be on my way to go be picking up my child and find myself taking a left-hand turn to go get drugs instead, and there's nothing that can stop me. All I remember is them being like, "We can't leave your child with you like this."
Jen: Ari went away to treatment. I think a lot of people don't realize that when somebody is in recovery, it is common for them to relapse. I didn't judge her; she knew that I didn't judge her, and that allowed her to be open with me with her addiction, and I was still there to support her every way that I could.
Ari: The whole time that I was away in treatment, Jen was checking to make sure I was OK. So, she just reassures me that like I'm OK, he's OK, and we're going to be OK. That helps me because I'm like, "Whoa, somebody like professional is telling me that like I'm – I have a lot of strength and courage," and I don't hear that often, you know. And for me to take that and be like, "OK, well I'm going to show you I can be a mother." And for them to be like, "OK, we see it.
You're doing what you need to be doing, like we're going to give you back your child." Like, that's huge. I can only imagine the pain that I've put people through, but god, am I happy that they stuck by me because if they didn't, I wouldn't – I wouldn't be here.
Jen: You're a piece of the puzzle of their life and it's yeah, it's pretty powerful.
This video shares the story of Ari, an Early Head Start parent, and her journey in substance use recovery. With the support of her Early Head Start home visitor, Jen, Ari perseveres in her recovery. Ari and Jen both candidly describe the role of the Early Head Start home visiting relationship in supporting Ari to address challenges related to addiction and parenting. Explore ways to share this video with families impacted by opiate and substance use disorders to help them become aware of the impact of the Head Start program.
