June 2010 Caseworker of the Month
Craig Fitzgerald
Columbus, Ohio
Craig Fitzgerald, a caseworker with Franklin County Children Services in Columbus, Ohio, is our June Caseworker of the Month. His fine balancing act between a premature newborn’s foster and birth families helped create as smooth of an adoption process as possible.
“In working with Sari’s birth parents, Craig was the go between with all of us and that helped to have a relationship with them. Now as Sari grows up, we can talk about them and what they were like and what she received from them,” said Michelle Morse of Westerville, Ohio, who nominated Fitzgerald.
Michelle and her husband Terry Morse, first met Sari, 3, when she was a premature newborn with critical medical needs at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
“I ended up having to go to the hospital by myself the first time,” Morse said. “There was just a whirlwind of emotions and anxiety about the responsibility and everything that came with taking care of sick child. Then I saw Craig, and he had this giant smile on his face that relieved all my fears.”
The Balancing Act
Fitzgerald said he approaches every case with an open mind.
“One of the things I do is to never judge anyone, whether it be the foster parents or the biological parents. I also try to let biological families know I’m here to support them and that my first goal is to ensure the safety of the child,” he said.
Once safety of the child has been achieved, Fitzgerald said his second goal is reunification.
“It just makes it easier for everybody knowing what the goals are. By keeping communication open and me being the in-between for both families, it helps us to see that we’re a team and this is our goal,” he said.
When reunification can’t be achieved, Fitzgerald said having a relationship with the foster family helps the biological parents when that decision has to be made.
“Because of Craig, my husband and I were able to develop a very positive relationship with both birth parents, which we are continuing to maintain today,” Morse said.
Beyond the Call of Duty
Once permanent custody was established and the Morses were transferred to an adoptions worker, Fitzgerald remained involved.
“Instead of stepping out of the picture, Craig’s help increased. He and his wife opened their home and their family to us, mentoring us on various aspects of the African American culture,” Morse said.
Fitzgerald said he knew the Morses were going to love Sari and see her as their daughter, but wanted them to know the rest of the world might not.
“If I place a child in your home, the first thing that comes to people’s mind shouldn’t be, ‘Oh that must be a foster child.’ So, I worked with Mr. and Mrs. Morse to help them understand there might be some identity challenges as Sari gets older,” he said.
In addition to talking about the importance of taking her to cultural events, Fitzgerald also reminded them not to get carried away with it.
“There’s still lots of similarities in that she’s a little girl and she’s going to like the color pink, play with lipstick and want her hair to look pretty. It’s just a different grade of hair than Michelle is used to, so it’s different how you do it.”
Fitzgerald enrolled Morse in a class to teach her how to take care of Sari’s hair, and he and his wife Pia still welcome the Morses into their home every other Sunday for Pia to do Sari’s hair.
Fitzgerald also took time to help the Morses birth children Nate, 7, and Shea, 6, through this process by providing them attention during home visits and answering any questions they had.
“I think placing this child in your home doesn’t only affect the child, it affects your kids and the whole family. I try to include everyone so they can feel a part of it. If I go over and only talk with the foster parents and foster child, then I’m alienating her as only a foster child. It’s up to the caseworker to embrace everybody,” Fitzgerald said.
As for being honored as AdoptUsKids’ caseworker of the month, he said, “I’m just very humbled. I feel a lot of caseworkers do what I do every single day, and to be rewarded for something that you just do and is in your heart is, like, wow.”
The nomination letter
The adoption of our daughter, Sari, has been nearly three years in the making. And Franklin County Children's Services caseworker Craig Fitzgerald, has been with us every step of the way.
Our foster-to-adopt journey has been filled with more twists and turns than most can imagine, certainly more than I could have ever imagined. And it all began September 19, 2007; the day I first met Sari (and Craig) at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The nervousness I was feeling was quickly relieved when I saw Craig coming toward me with his giant, warm smile. He introduced me to the tiny, newborn baby girl who would soon become the love of my life...and the love of my husband’s, and our biological son and daughter's life as well.
Over the years, through all the twists and turns, the ups and downs, Craig became like family to us. And we always looked forward to his visits (especially our three children). You see, Craig has this natural "way" about him that draws children near. Anytime he would visit, the kids would go running to the door to see him, and then beg him not to leave. Craig has this incredible talent of being able to maintain the highest level of professionalism, while at the same time laughing and being silly and having fun with the kids.
Craig has also been our source of hope though this whole process. He comforted us in times of uncertainty and encouraged us when those twists and turns seemed too much to bear. He always kept us informed and always made himself available if ever we had questions.
When it came to Sari's birth parents, they were very much in the picture throughout this time. And because of Craig's fine balancing act between birth and foster family, my husband and I were able to develop a very positive relationship with both birth parents, which we are continuing to maintain today.
Craig puts his heart and soul into his work. For him, it is more than just a "job." He is obviously in it for all the right reasons. He knows that the work he is doing is making a difference in the lives of children and families, in the life of my daughter and our family. In fact, once permanent custody was established in our case, Craig's "job" was completed and we were assigned an adoptions worker to complete finalization. But instead of stepping out of the picture, Craig’s help increased. He and his wife opened their home and their family to us.
Together they have mentored us on various aspects of the African-American culture, especially when it comes to hair. Knowing I had very limited experience, Craig's wife Pia took Sari and me under her wing, teaching me the many important aspects of caring for my daughter's hair. Even now, we go to their home every other Sunday for Pia to braid Sari's hair. This goes way above and beyond any job description. And for that, we are so grateful.
I am also grateful for this opportunity to honor and acknowledge Craig Fitzgerald for all he has done for our daughter and for our entire family. He has given us the gift of both friendship and family.
Craig, for all of your encouragement, guidance and tireless support you have provided and for always having Sari's "best interest" in mind, my family thanks you (with all our hearts)!
Michelle and Terry Morse
Westerville, Ohio
Media who would like to interview Fitzgerald, contact us at info@adoptuskids.org or 888-200-4005.
