7-year-old finds his best self with help of donor-supported Family & Child Services

Imagine a kindergartener full of energy and exuberance confined to laptop-based learning several hours a day. This was the reality then 5-year-old Ryker found himself in after the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

Since March 2020, there’s been an alarming increase in children and youth suffering from mental and emotional health issues. This global event, and the fact that there was a death in the family, ended up catapulting Ryker into a rough spot.

“The pandemic had a pretty big, negative effect on Ryker’s mental health, and it was around this time I noticed he was starting to act out,” Ryker’s mom, Allison Woslager, explains. “I was struggling with him being able to vocalize his emotions — it was difficult for us to communicate our needs to one another. So, I went to our primary care physician, and they recommended we reach out to MultiCare Behavioral Health and seek out their services.”

At MultiCare Behavioral Health’s Child & Family Services program — supported by community generosity — Ryker and Allison worked with child and family clinician Catherine Filoteo to address Ryker’s behavior at home and school. Mary Ohlsen, a family support specialist, also taught Allison how to use Triple P to respond differently to Ryker. An evidence-based intervention, Triple P provides families with strategies for coping with challenges and fostering healthy relationships.

“The family support we’ve received from MultiCare Behavioral Health is astounding,” Allison shares. “I didn’t know what to expect when we received that referral to MultiCare. To be completely honest, I was a little bit cautious and hesitant. But from the start, the support has been fantastic — teaching me positive parenting, teaching me how to communicate clearly to my son and teaching him how to communicate with me, as well as others. He went from being a child who had maybe two or three friends to having classrooms full of friends.”

After 18 months with Child & Family Services, Allison describes the 7-year-old as full of love, kindness and compassion. His behavior toward Allison, his friends and staff at school has come a long way, with his principal and teacher writing letters heralding Ryker’s transformation.

To the donors who support programs like the one that helped Ryker and Allison, Allison says, “You’re helping real people. You’re helping single moms with young children. You’re helping families who’re in crisis and in need of support. Thank you to everyone who has touched our lives and been there to support us.”

You can help children with mood, behavioral or other mental health issues and their parents find the help they need. Donate at give.multicare.org/communitycare.