Mike and Lane Hackemack knew they wanted to pursue adoption. Both grew up in very close families where adoptive friends and cousins were the norm. So after their daughter was born, they started to look at agencies that were the right fit for them. That search led them to ACH Child and Family Services.

Following the adoption of their son, Levi, what surprised the Hackemack’s the most is how much they have grown as a family. For one, the training at ACH taught them how to see past the behaviors their child was experiencing and instead be conscious of their son’s feelings. This direction taught them they don’t have a “bad kid,” rather, their kid is having a “bad time.”

By becoming educated in trauma-informed care, Mike and Lane learned how to best help their son de-escalate bad behaviors, regulate his emotions, and express himself in safe and kind ways. For the Hackemack family, their adoption journey was a blessing in bringing their family closer together.