Shrounda Selivanoff is the proud mother of Alexis, a happy and sweet little 3-year old girl. She is a hard worker and volunteers her time helping individuals with drug addictions as well as parents who are involved in the child welfare system. It's hard to believe that it wasn't that long ago her world was ruled by drugs and alcohol, and she, too, was working to bring her daughter home.

A native of Seattle, Shrounda was a functioning alcoholic for 10 years until, at age 30, a friend introduced her to crack cocaine. Shrounda's dependency led her to experiment with other drugs, including heroin. After 8 years of heavy drug abuse, Shrounda hit rock bottom. Child Protective Services intervened and removed Alexis, who was an infant at that time, and placed her in foster care. This was the wake-up call Shrounda needed. She was ready to get clean. She was ready to be a mother to her little girl.

"The reunification process is about change. You have realize that you don’t know everything."

Shrounda sought out treatment for her dependency and was referred to Genesis House in Seattle, a therapeutic community-based residential drug treatment program. The road was not an easy one, but nothing mattered more than getting her daughter back. After two years of drug and alcohol assessments, long-term inpatient care, psychological examinations, and regular meetings with her social worker, her case was eventually dismissed. On June 29, 2009 Shrounda and Alexis reunited. Alexis was 2 years old.

"The reunification process is about change. You have to realize that you don't know everything, and be open to getting answers," says Shrounda. "The earlier you engage with ‘the system' the better results you get. It's not about blaming anybody."

Currently, Shrounda serves as a co-facilitator for the King County Parent Advocacy Committee, a committee that brings together veteran parents and staff together to improve child welfare outcomes through education and advocacy with and on behalf of parents entering and/or involved with the child welfare system. She also works with the Dependency 101 program to help parents currently navigating the system get their kids back.

"I give parents hope and support, and remind them that I was just like them. They too, can get their child back," says Shrounda. "When meeting with other parents, I bring the person I used to be, and I bring the person I will become. Today, I am unstoppable."

Shrounda works at a construction company as well as at Genesis House. She and Alexis enjoy going to the YMCA together and spending time with the rest of their family including her mother and two grown sons. "She tells me she loves me all the time," Shrounda says, beaming. "She is my whole world. It has been an amazing journey and we are just getting started."

Learn more about Catalyst for Kids, an initiative of Children's Home Society of Washington, or get involved with Parent Advocacy Committees in your community. Contact Catalyst for Kids at 206-695-3245 or 1-800-456-3339.