At 17, Taylor* was experiencing repeated outbursts of intense anger. Her behavior wasn’t just emotionally charged—it was taking a toll on her entire family. As the situation grew more volatile, her parents became increasingly fearful, unsure of how to keep their daughter or their home safe. One night, at 11 p.m. in the dead of winter, they made a desperate call to Nexus Family Healing’s Family Response and Stabilization Services (FRSS).
“There was so much discord and friction,” said Kayla Renney, Program Manager for FRSS, “Her caregivers had felt that because there were so many things needed to be done to repair the relationship, they didn’t think they’d be able to get help.”
One of the most impactful elements of FRSS is its rapid response. The team arrived in-person within an hour—something they’re able to do 24/7, 365 days a year. That immediate support was a turning point.
“Taylor and her family’s story truly illustrate the critical role—and the life-changing impact—of the youth crisis services we provide here at Nexus Family Healing,” said Renney. “It highlights the importance of our crisis response model, which is the only one of its kind in the entire state of Minnesota.”
Importance of early intervention
In the following days and weeks, Taylor’s family received three additional in-home visits and eight weeks of stabilization services. The FRSS team focused not only on crisis de-escalation but also long-term healing. Taylor began individual therapy to address underlying trauma, while the family worked with an in-home therapist to rebuild communication and trust.
This early intervention helped Taylor avoid hospitalization, juvenile detention, or being removed from her home—all too common outcomes when youth in crisis don’t get support. The structure of the program gave her the tools to develop healthier coping skills and start to feel more secure.
By the time services wrapped up, the shift was clear. Taylor’s behavior had stabilized. Her family felt more connected and supported. They were hopeful again—and had access to long-term resources to help maintain their progress.
“This is just one of many stories that remind us that youth crisis services are not just about responding to suicide risk,” said Renney, “which is also an important part of our work, but the uniqueness of our crisis model is that we allow our families to define their crisis, and they do not need to reach anyone’s defined level of need but their own.”
Thanks to the timely support of FRSS, Taylor and her family didn’t just survive a crisis—they found a path to healing.
*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy