At 13, I came to the United States from Japan with someone who promised to care for me—but within months, I was alone, without family, documents, or a way home. I entered foster care carrying fear and uncertainty. Years later,...
Category: Child Services
Isabel and Marco’s Journey to Permanence
Two siblings were reunited with the family they already knew and loved, crossing borders to find stability and belonging.
At just 5 and 6 years old, siblings Isabel and Marco entered foster care after it became clear their home environment could not safely meet their needs. Though their grandmother first stepped in, follow‑up visits revealed the placement would not...
From Uncertainty to Stability
An independent social worker guides the process to ensure a child can safely return to family.
My name is Carolin, and I work with ISS‑USA as an independent social worker in Utah, conducting home studies and post‑placement visits. In 2024, I was contacted to assess a home in Salt Lake City for Sophia, a 13‑year‑old girl...
Brothers Beyond Borders
The Importance of Sibling Relationships in Determining Placement
Over nearly a century of working in child welfare, we have learned the value of preserving family relationships. For this reason, ISS-USA has always sought to establish space for family members to create and maintain relationships, regardless of where...
Family Reunification: Including Transnational Families