At the start of 2024, the Boys Town New England Family Home Program had a fully staffed girls' home -- but few recent referrals. That changed when the Division for Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) reached out to one of our long-time professionals, Tabitha. A young girl named Felicity needed help.
Felicity was referred as a "Tier 5" case -- the most severe level Boys Town is permitted to take. Typically, children at this level are considered a serious risk to themselves or others, and are placed directly under state care. Despite the concerns raised about Felicity’s extreme behaviors, Tabitha agreed to meet with her.
During their interview, Felicity showed a surprising level of self-awareness. She was remorseful, reflective and expressed a sincere desire to change. Tabitha saw something in Felicity and her potential. She decided to accept Felicity into the Family Home Program, determined, along with the Boys Town team, to give her a real chance to turn her life around.
When Felicity arrived, she was facing major challenges: personal issues, emotional trauma, disruptive behavior and difficulty engaging with her peers. She often made false medical claims, misused technology and refused to attend school. Her behavior was loud, erratic and overwhelming.
Her Family Teachers, Charles and Kristin Taylor, didn’t flinch. They responded with structure, compassion and a customized Home Teaching plan focused on safety, routine and life skills. They set clear boundaries around internet use, emphasized the importance of education and patiently taught Felicity how to manage basic daily tasks like bathing, dressing and folding laundry.
Progress didn’t come overnight. But Charles and Kristin never gave up. Their consistency, teamwork and belief in Felicity gradually began to make an impact. With every small success, they built trust -- and Felicity began to change. She started following household rules, participating in chores and even learning to recognize and report her own unsafe behaviors.
As Felicity’s progress grew, the Taylors began working with her biological family. At first, her parents were hesitant. But when they saw the transformation in their daughter, their doubts began to fade. By mid-2024, they were visiting weekly, eager to support her journey. That Thanksgiving, they were invited for dinner at the home, where they received a full tour of the program and saw firsthand the techniques that had helped Felicity thrive.
Felicity’s first overnight home visit came at Christmas. To support the transition, the Taylors created a detailed guide for her parents -- including role-playing scenarios and guidance on how to respond to old patterns of behavior. It was a powerful, healing step forward.
Soon after, weekend visits became regular. In one memorable moment, Felicity found an unsecured mobile device with full internet access -- something that could have been a major setback. Instead, she immediately self-reported the situation, a clear sign of how much progress she had made.
Today, Felicity has fully reunified with her family. She is living a healthy, happy life -- surrounded by love, stability and a future she helped create through courage, hard work and the unwavering support of her Boys Town team.
Note: Names have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved.