Steve and Kouce Wonokay have been treatment parents with Legacy for four years. When 7-year-old twins were in emergent need of a treatment home, the Wonokay family made their home available so that the children could remain together.

The twins arrived to the Wonokay's home on a Friday evening with very few possessions and little information about their background. The Wonokays quickly realized that although Emily seemed like the typical 7-year-old girl, her brother, Ethan had complex behavioral, psychiatric, academic, and social needs and the family was unsure about how to best intervene. Ethan is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, is non-verbal with no means of assistive communication and can be impulsive. Both youth also had a history of complex trauma, with concerns of abuse and neglect and placement insecurity.

Although Emily was quickly accepted back into school, the school district was unable to serve Ethan since his needs were more than they could handle. This left him at the treatment home all day without any educational or social outlets. Legacy and Community Treatment Solutions (CTS) staff, along with the Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP), collaborated to help the family during the day to provide some relief and behavioral support. Although the situation was difficult, the twins quickly became part of the family dynamic and the Wonokays were learning how to best work with Ethan and keep him safe. At one point, Ethan was hospitalized for safety concerns but Mr. Wonokay went to visit him and insisted on having Ethan return to his home. DCPP agreed and stated that Ethan was so happy to be discharged and return to the Legacy home! The Wonokays informed the team that his sister flew down the stairs when she heard Ethan was home and gave him the biggest hug!

The twins are extremely courageous, resilient, and quickly win everyone over with their big, beautiful smiles. Legacy and CTS is grateful to have a family like the Wonokays who are willing to open their homes and their hearts to these amazing children.