July 2010 Caseworker of the Month
Annakiya Sauda
Ashland City, Tennessee
Annakiya Sauda, a case manger with the Cheatham County Office of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, is our July Caseworker of the Month. She helped a traumatized 15-year-old who was angry, withdrawn and combative find new meaning in life after the world had turned its back on her.
“It’s obvious Annakiya has a passion for children, especially the difficult ones that others seem to have given up on. This 15-year-old girl went through multiple placements and was rejected by everyone who is supposed to love and care for her,” said David and Sonya Sherman of Nashville, Tennessee, who nominated Sauda.
Instilling trust
The Shermans first met Sauda in November 2009 when the 15-year-old girl was placed in their home. Sauda had just taken on the girl’s case after it was passed down to her through a series of other case managers.
Sauda, who had about 14 other children on her caseload, could tell the girl was going to be tougher than most in getting her to open up and trust her. So, she turned to her mantra, “Children have to think that you care, before they care what you think.” Sauda said this phrase has resonated with her in how she approaches her work ever since she first heard it on The Oprah Show.
“You have to put yourself in their shoes. Even though we’re all different, the human experience is the same. So, I just put myself in this girl’s situation and asked myself how would I feel if I was abused and nobody believed me? How would I feel if my stepfather who abused me was still with my mom? How would I feel if my siblings were still with my mom and I’ve been in 26 different foster placements?
“From engaging her that way and letting her tell her story, which never changed once in all the times she told me, she started to open up and trust me,” Sauda said.
Finding permanency
After a week in the Sherman’s house, the girl had a physical confrontation with another child at school. With a daughter of their own and another foster child in their home, the Shermans were forced to call Sauda to make other arrangements for the girl.
“We were so torn. We really wanted to help this girl, and it was obvious she had no place to go. It just broke our hearts, but Annakiya completely understood we couldn’t put the other children in our home at risk,” the Shermans said.
The girl was sent to a resident treatment facility to help her work through her struggles with anger and aggression. When the Shermans learned she didn’t have any family members willing to be a part of her treatment plan, they stuck by her. In addition to visiting her regularly, the also took part in some of her therapy sessions.
“The Shermans really made my job easier. It’s been a struggle, but they’ve been right alongside me in trying to help provide some permanency for this girl,” Sauda said.
After seven months in congregated care at the treatment facility, the girl was able to move back in with the Shermans.
Improving quality of life
“You’d be amazed at what little bit of encouragement will do. You’ve got to respect people for where they are. Things that may seem very small to her, those small changes in her behavior are major accomplishments.” Sauda said.
As for advice to other case mangers and caseworkers, Sauda said, “Approach each case, each child and each family with great humility, as if you know nothing, and allow the child and family to fill in the blanks.
“Contained within an individual's life story is a map that shows who they are, where they come from, how they live and what resources and services are needed in order to sustain and improve their quality of life.”
The nomination letter
We have known Annakiya for six months now and she is clearly the best case worker we have been involved with to date. It is obvious she has a passion for children, especially the difficult ones others seem to have given up on. Annakiya has the character and attitude that refuses to allow her to walk away from, and drives her to fight for what is best for the children that she oversees. She has a tender heart for children, and it is obvious to them that her love and concern for them is genuine and goes far beyond the job. Annakiya is the diamond in the middle of a box full of costume jewelry.
Dave and Sonya Sherman
Nashville, Tennessee
Media who would like to interview Sauda, contact us at info@adoptuskids.org or 888-200-4005.
