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 who had lost her mother in Jamaica and was left without a caregiver. With her future uncertain, her grandmother in the United States stepped forward, hoping to reunite and provide her with a safe home.
I moved quickly—reviewing neighborhood resources and evaluating the home environment. During our conversation, Sophia’s grandmother shared her fears and her deep commitment to caring for her granddaughter. I reassured her that this process existed to protect Sophia’s best interests.
The assessment confirmed the home was safe, nurturing, and ready to welcome a child. Soon after, the court approved the placement, and Sophia was reunited with her grandmother—beginning a new chapter surrounded by family.