Page 16 - Holly Carney Issue (3)

During one of Kodi’s rebellious times she ended up at the members. Her school in San Marcos bragged this year that
Encinitas Sheriff’s office. It was one of the officers that in- Kodi is their best student ever, with a GPA of 3.4, and is ex-
formed Holly of TAPS, Teen Adolescent Placement Services pected to complete her senior year in a regular High School
(http://www.taps14.org/), a service that Holly claims most and is even planning to go to Prom. Kodi loves being home
likely saved Kodi’s Life. TAPS Family Services began as a and has committed to embracing her new found freedom and
parent support group in Oceanside, California in 1994. The life with the Carney clan. Holly says, “We are confident she
founders, Tony and Maryann Pallotto, had been through the is 100% on the road to success. We fawn over her quite a
struggle of raising teens. They had three sons, two of whom bit and watch her like a new baby- She kind of laughs about
were addicted to drugs and alcohol. They knew first-hand that, but understands…we’re all on team Kodi!”
the devastation that this could bring to a family. Since its
inception, almost 14 years ago, TAPS has helped over fifteen
thousand families deal with teen and adolescent issues. As
Holly noted, “Many families just don’t know where to turn.”
TAPS provided the options and helped them to choose a
solution that would work. In Kodi’s case it was a lock down
facility in Florida: A tough decision for a parent or aunt to
have to make, but one that has helped Kodi on her path to
recovery. TAPS has helped thousands of troubled teens
and their families find peace and begin the healing process.
Over the time that Holly has spent helping Kodi, she has met
many wonderful people. “I cannot say enough good things
about the San Diego Juvenile Court system. It is exemplary.
I have had only good experiences dealing with all of the
people involved in the process. Judge Browder Willis took so
much time going over Kodi’s files and took a genuine interest
in helping her. Dorothy Daniels, her court appointed attorney
was absolutely wonderful. Megan Hardy, her probation
officer, has done back flips to help us with our niece. Even
though Kodi has been in juvenile hall four times since
2004, the court recognizes that Kodi has a huge support
team behind her so they have been wonderful.”
16 Holly has done so much to help raise money and be a
voice for those parents of troubled teenagers, that she was
recently asked to serve as a parent representative for the
Parent Advisory Council for JCCS (Juvenile courts and
community schools.) There are 120 in San Diego, includ-
ing Reflections in San Marcos and Monarch school for the
homeless. The Council recently provided a day for parents
of troubled teens to learn about issues that affect them
and their children. Issues such as gangs, drug use, and
runaways were discussed at a conference held on May
15th, 2008.
Aside from her dedication to helping teens already in
trouble, Holly has found another way to help stop the
trouble before it begins. Every Wednesday evening she
and Tim Foley, a well known local musician, host a teen
group meeting (which is bible based) that provides a fun
and safe place for local teens to get together and share
their thoughts and concerns. Holly states, “The kids love
being able to get together and talk, and sing and share
their thoughts in a safe environment. Any teenager is
welcome to join our group just contact me at Godsrave@
Yahoo.com”
Holly Carney may not be as well known as her husband,
but to those Moms and Dads at Juvenile hall, and to the has never felt so fresh
parents of the children who attend her Wednesday eve-
ning teen group, she is definitely a star.
An Important Update:
After speaking to Holly this past week she informed me
that things have turned around for Kodi. She is completely
a part of their family now. She is attending the Wednes- Order Online:
day teen group and has been embraced by all of the other Freshmineralsusa.com Only $30.00
July/August 2008