Beyond the Story: Lindy Tibbling

When people think about Valley Residential Services, they often think about the individuals

we support in our residential programs. What many don't realize is that VRS also works with families throughout Eastern Washington, helping parents navigate some of life's most difficult challenges.

For Lindy Tibbling, Family Support Therapist with VRS, no two days are ever the same.

"My favorite part of the job is the clients," she says. "Everything is different. The needs are unique, so it's never mundane. And they're constantly teaching us."

The Family Support program encompasses several services. One is Family Time, which provides supervised visitation for families involved with Child Protective Services, as well as private-pay visitation services for families navigating parenting plans and custody arrangements. The department also provides Combined In-Home Services through referrals from the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

Within those services, staff utilize programs such as Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), Family Preservation Services (FPS), and Promoting First Relationships (PFR), which helps parents understand infant and early childhood development and build stronger relationships with their children.

Currently, Family Support serves approximately 15 families through Combined In-Home Services and another 15 to 20 families through Family Time and private-pay services.

A large part of Lindy's work involves helping families navigate complicated systems.

"A lot of times we're helping parents advocate for their children," she explains. "Especially when it comes to schools and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Many parents don't realize there are specific steps required to start the process, and without that knowledge, children can go years without receiving the support they need."

That advocacy often extends far beyond schools.

One recent case took Lindy deep into rural Goldendale.

"It was way out in the boondocks," she recalls. "No cell service, rough roads, and a completely different way of living than most people are used to."

The experience highlighted one of the most important parts of her work, understanding family culture while still ensuring children are safe.

"A big part of our job is recognizing that just because a family lives differently than we do doesn't automatically mean it's wrong," she says. "We have to separate what is simply different from what is actually unsafe."

Families enter the program for many reasons. Some are referred after concerns arise during pregnancy or after a child is born. Others need support accessing resources, developing parenting skills, or creating safer home environments.

One local family Lindy works with has a five-year-old nonverbal child who frequently wandered away from home.

"He was getting out of the house at night and had even been found near a highway," she says.

Through Family Preservation Services, Lindy helped the family obtain practical safety tools including door alarms, specialized locks, safety gates, and tracking devices. She also coordinated with local law enforcement to ensure first responders had information about the child should he go missing.

But the support didn't stop there.

The child was also showing signs of autism, and obtaining a formal evaluation had become a major challenge. Many providers in the region have waiting lists stretching months or even years.

"We started making phone calls," Lindy says. "We found a provider in the Tri-Cities area who could see him within three weeks."

That assessment could prove life-changing.

A diagnosis would open the door to developmental disability services, communication tools, potential in-home caregiving support, and financial assistance that could significantly reduce the burden on the family.

"For mom, it could mean getting some help and some relief," Lindy says. "For him, it means access to services and tools that can help him communicate and be successful."

The ability to respond quickly often comes from the flexibility built into the program. Funding attached to referrals allows staff to purchase supplies and equipment that directly support family goals.

"Sometimes it's alarms or locks. Sometimes it's other resources. It's about removing barriers so families can be successful."

After working in social services since 2019, Lindy has seen firsthand how difficult it can be for families to access services.

"If there was an amazing donor out there who wanted to fund free assessments, we would be busy for a very long time," she says.

Whether it's substance use disorder assessments, counseling, parenting support, or group services, the need continues to exceed available resources.

"Within the substance use disorder field, there is a belief that people shouldn't have to wait for care," Lindy explains. "Unfortunately, there are always waiting lists."

Lindy and colleague Mindy are currently completing certification work in substance use disorder counseling, another area where they hope to help address growing community needs.

Yet despite the programs, services, and resources, Lindy believes the most valuable thing she offers families is much simpler.

"People need somebody to hear them."

She recalls working with a mother who had developed a strained relationship with her child's school. Misunderstandings and assumptions had created barriers between the family and professionals who were trying to help.

By attending meetings, facilitating conversations, and helping each side understand the other's perspective, Lindy watched relationships begin to heal.

"Sometimes people make assumptions based on appearances or first impressions," she says. "When you actually take the time to know someone, you realize there's often much more to the story."

For Lindy, that's what Family Support is really about.

"It's advocacy," she says. "Helping families navigate systems, find resources, and make sure their voices are heard."

It's also one of the reasons she loves working at Valley Residential Services.

"There's something special about VRS," she says. "It really isn't about making money. It's about client care. We always put the clients first and figure out the rest later."

After years working in social services, that's a philosophy she doesn't take for granted.