Family Links

Last week, Family Links had the opportunity to provide Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training to staff from the Allen County Juvenile Center.

This training helps adults who work with young people recognize signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, respond with confidence and compassion, and connect youth to appropriate support.

We’re grateful for the engagement, thoughtfulness, and commitment these staff members brought to the training. Investing in youth-serving professionals helps strengthen the systems of support surrounding young people, especially in spaces where connection, compassion, and early intervention matter most.


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SPOTLIGHTING THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
AND CALENIA DUMAS
MSW Student | Eastside Indy Native | Aspiring Social Worker

Meet Calenia Dumas, a proud Eastside Indianapolis native and MSW student with a heart for service and a passion for people. One of six siblings, Calenia draws strength from her close-knit family, a lifelong love of volleyball and reading, and a growing spirit of adventure—most recently sparked by receiving her first passport.
Originally pursuing a path in criminal justice, Calenia was ultimately drawn to social work by her parents' example and the emotional and mental rewards of helping others. Her practicum placement, recommended by her Ball State University field coordinator, aligned perfectly with her values and past experiences—including her work with the Department of Child Services. This background helped her transition smoothly into casework while expanding her understanding of child welfare.
Throughout her practicum, Calenia embraced every opportunity to grow—whether contributing to an agency-wide research project, building a case management resource library, or attending a professional conference alongside Dr. Tichenor and other leaders in the field. These experiences have shaped her practice and directly influenced her full-time role as a school social worker.
Calenia shares that she’s grown in time management, empathy, and self-awareness, while also sharpening her public speaking and networking skills. To manage the emotional demands of the work, she leans on journaling, self-care, and regular check-ins with her field instructor.
Her advice to fellow interns?
"Stay open, stay honest, and know the NASW Code of Ethics. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and ask for help."
Calenia's journey reminds us that social work isn't just a career—it's a calling. She’s committed to expanding what’s possible in the field and leaving a positive impact on every life she touches.

Family Links
Address:
1937 E 30th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46218

Dads matter. Our Fatherhood Engagement Program is all about equipping fathers with the tools, confidence, and support they need to show up for their children—emotionally, mentally, and consistently.
👨‍👧‍👦 Building stronger father-child bonds, one step at a time.

💚 Supporting Families, Strengthening Communities 💚

Family Links is proud to serve Indiana families with compassionate, culturally relevant, and community-based support. From mental health services to parenting support and supervised visitation, our goal is to walk alongside families as they grow stronger together.

✨ We Offer:

Mental health & therapy services

In-home family support & case management

Supervised visitation

Fatherhood engagement

Life skills coaching

Youth mentoring

Parent-aid & homemaking support

School-based prevention programs

We believe every family deserves the opportunity to thrive. Learn more about how we’re supporting Hoosier families every step of the way:
🔗 www.familylinksindiana.com/our-services

Family Links Family Links provides culturally relevant, structured, goal-oriented, time-limited individual/family therapy in the home environment of families who need assistance recovering diverse social emotional issues stemming from personal histories. Our goal is to improve their ability to cope and function....

🌿 Wellness in Action! 🌿

We’re excited to share that Monica Dollison recently attended the Wellness Workshop hosted by the School Care Team in Fort Wayne, IN!

This dynamic training focused on practical strategies to manage stress and maintain goals—empowering participants with tools to boost personal and team resilience, minimize burnout, and foster long-term well-being. 🙌

Monica joined a community of professionals dedicated to improving engagement, increasing job satisfaction, and staying grounded even in times of crisis.

👏 Thank you, Monica, for representing Family Links and continuing to grow in your commitment to wellness and client care!

Navigating life's challenges is easier with a supportive community. Family Links offers comprehensive services to help families thrive. Join us in fostering resilience and unity in central Indiana.

At Family Links, we believe that strong families build strong communities. Our relationship-centered services are designed to empower and uplift every member of your family. Together, we can create a brighter future for central Indiana.

Meet Jaila Garrett, a Bachelor of Social Work student at Ball State University, set to graduate in May 2025!

With a heart for youth and a drive to become a school social worker, Jaila’s passion for social work was sparked by witnessing the communication gaps between adults and children. During her practicum at Family Links, she dove deep into understanding how systems work together to support young people and their families.

Jaila’s experience taught her that confrontation can be constructive, and her initial hesitations about child welfare transformed into compassion and deeper understanding. One of her proudest moments was contributing to a Quality Assurance project, where she created evaluation tools for providers and clients—gaining powerful insight into client engagement and service delivery.

Through her practicum, she refined her time management, assertive communication, and boundary-setting skills—blending classroom learning with real-world impact. While case management isn’t her long-term path, the experience strengthened her knowledge of family systems and the importance of guiding, not controlling those we serve.

Her advice to fellow students?

“Stay organized. Be proactive. And embrace growth—even in unexpected places.”

Jaila reminds us that true social work is rooted in compassion, reflection, and empowerment.

Last Wednesday, Family Links commenced its first retreat of the year, focusing on case management practices under the leadership of Felicia Smith. It was a valuable opportunity to engage with our providers and staff, enhancing our skills as case managers and leaning more about advocacy for our clients.

We’re more than a social services agency. We’re part of the fabric of our community. Family Links is here to uplift families and build brighter futures.