When LaRonda Langston adopted her three children, she knew they needed stability and someone committed to helping them grow. What she didn’t realize then was how much she would have to learn about mental health, education and other systems to get them the support they needed.
More than anything, Langston’s story—and her message to other parents—is about persistence. She described seeking services through schools, mental health providers, child welfare and juvenile justice, sometimes being told there was little that could be done. When her oldest son needed long-term treatment, she kept looking for help, eventually contacting the governor’s office after struggling to find an appropriate placement. The decision to pursue long-term care was painful, but Langston believed intervening early was better than waiting for something worse to happen. “I felt as a parent it was good for me to start early getting the services for him rather than waiting too late,” she said.
The educational system brought other challenges. Langston’s daughter has an IEP, and Langston described working to ensure that her disability and behavioral needs do not prevent her from receiving an education alongside other students.
With support, Langston learned more about her daughter’s rights and became increasingly comfortable speaking up in meetings. “I used to [not] voice my opinion, but now I voice my opinion to support my child,” she said. She and her family support partner pushed for an IEP when the school considered a homebound placement, and Langston has continued to advocate for accommodations that help her daughter succeed. More recently, her daughter has begun participating in her own IEP meetings and speaking up when she believes the supports outlined in her plan are not being provided.
Langston credits Family Support Partner Coreaner Price with helping her become a stronger advocate and with giving her somewhere to turn when the pressure becomes overwhelming. She said having a family support partner made things easier. When she called to explain what was happening, she received a knowledgeable response, and Sabrina could participate in meetings either by phone or in person.
Just as importantly, Langston had someone she could call when she needed to vent, regroup and decide what to do next. That support mattered during years when caring for her children affected nearly every part of her life, including employment and finances. Langston said she lost several jobs because she had to leave work or remain with a child who could not safely be left alone. Through those experiences, she moved from what she called being a “shut down parent” to someone willing to keep asking questions and pushing until her family received an answer.
Today, Langston wants to use what she has learned to help other families facing similar struggles. She said she supports other parents trying to find mental health services because she understands how isolating it can feel to keep asking for help and not receive it. “I know how the struggle is when you’re trying to get support, and you’re not getting there,” she said.
Her experience also illustrates why family-to-family support matters. Parents may begin their journey unsure of what services exist, what their children are entitled to or how to make themselves heard. With information, encouragement and someone willing to stand beside them, they can become powerful advocates not only for their own children, but also for other families traveling the same path.
